Aviation Schools in Nigeria; Everything You Need To Know

Yay! Best Aviation Schools in Nigeria!

Are you aspiring to become a PILOT?

OR

Hope to fly a plane one day?

But, you are still confused and don’t know how to go about achieving your dreams. 

Selecting the right institution might be a Herculean task without proper findings and inadequate information

Maybe, due to the general belief that aviation colleges within the country are sub-standard and cannot provide you with the international accepted discipline with regard to aviation.

Fortunately, this appears not to be all true as they exist some exceptional aviation institutions within the country which have not just stood out among others but have also gained international recognition.

 This article will guide you through these prestigious aviation institutions in Nigeria to ensure you select the right institution and begin your journey to becoming the great pilot you ought to be.

Here is a breakdown of what you should expect in this article.

Table of contents

1. History of aviation in Nigeria
2. What are aviation schools?
3. Criteria to gain entry into an aviation school
4. Duration of study in an aviation school
5. List of aviation schools in Nigeria
6. Conclusion

History of aviation in Nigeria

It will be quite unstructured to delve into the history of aviation in the country without giving a vivid explanation of what aviation deals with. 

What is aviation?

Aviation is a field of study that deals with the flying and operation of aircraft such as airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft. It looks into their maintenance, repair, and activities of other industries related to aviation in order to satisfy the transportation, communication, and business needs of humans. 

Having said that, we can now look into the history of aviation in Nigeria

The history of aviation in Nigeria can be traced as far back as the early nineties, precisely November 18, 1925. On that day, the first aircraft which was actually heading to Kano landed in Maiduguri before moving on to its destination.

The air expedition which was led by the then Flight Lt. Sir Arthur Coningham (Late) was to open Africans to civil aviation.

Credited source: “Coningham”: A biography of Air Marshal Sir Arthur

However, it was not until 1964 that the “first aviation college” was established In Zaria, Kaduna through an Act of Parliament. It was named the Nigerian Civil Aviation Training Centre, now known as the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and finally began operating in 1966 with the assistance of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Credited source: Wikipedia

Since then, more aviation colleges have been founded both by private enterprises and the government to ensure that the country is not short of well-trained professionals in the aviation industry.

What are aviation schools?

Aviation schools, otherwise known as pilot schools, are simply educational institutions where people enroll to get knowledge on air navigation, aeronautics, aircraft engineering, and other related courses to obtain their licenses as a pilot and experts in the aviation industry.

Criteria needed for admission into an aviation school

The criteria for this field of study varies with both the courses and the aviation institution.

The major requirements are listed below:

• The applicant must be at least 17 years of age.
• The applicant must have graduated from high school and obtained the Senior School Certificate by WAEC/NECO/NABTEB
• The applicant must be proficient in English i.e. must be able to read, write and speak English
• The applicant must have a valid medical certificate, this can either be a class I or class II medical certificate depending on the course of study.
• Some institutions might require the applicant to must have participated in the JAMB UTME with a minimum score of 180 and sometimes below this.

With the above-listed requirements in check, you should be able to get admitted into an aviation school of choice without difficulties.

Duration of study in an aviation school

Like any other field of study, the number of years a person spends in training to become a licensed pilot or any other related professional varies as the course of study.

On average, it takes 3 to 4 years to complete the training to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight.

Stages involved to become a Flight Pilot

• Private Pilot: It takes at least three (3) months to become a fully licensed private pilot. With this certificate, you can get a job to fly private individuals.

• Commercial Pilot: This takes at least two (2) years to get licensed. As a commercial pilot, you can work for an airline company and also carry out some other non-flight duties.

• Airline Pilot: It takes over two (2) years to get the license to operate as an airline pilot. Airline pilots work primarily in moving passengers from one place to another. 

List of aviation schools in Nigeria

Statistically, Nigeria currently has just twenty (20) airports, twenty-three (23) domestic airlines, 554 licensed pilots, 913 licensed engineers, and 1700 cab personnel.

credited source: ncaa.gov.ng

However, the need for more professionals in the aviation industry remains undisputed. As a matter of fact, the detriment of the limited number of these aviation professionals is already being felt in the nation as many domestic airports have been shut down as a result of low performance.

Hence, the establishment of aviation schools in the country. Let’s take a look at these aviation schools which are approved by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA):

1. Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT):

The prestigious NCAT, formerly known as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Training Centre was established in 1964 at Zaria, Kaduna State as the first aviation training college in Nigeria. Since then, she has continued to build her reputation as one of the best aviation institutions in the country and Africa as a whole.

By partnering with several domestic airlines, it has ensured that her students get standard training and have vast knowledge as far as aviation is concerned. Her wide range of courses has nevertheless, help uphold this standard.

Below is the list of courses offered by NCAT

• Flying school Courses 
• Aeronautical Telecommunication Engineering Courses
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Courses
• Aviation Management Courses
• Air Traffic Services/Communication Courses

Criteria/Requirements

• Jamb Subject Combination: Physics, Maths, Geography, English with a minimum score of 120
• Secondary School result: WAEC, NECO, NABTEB
• The applicant must be at least 17 years of age
• NCAT should be chosen as the first-choice institution 

If all the above requirement has been met, then you can proceed to obtain the NCAT application form on their website: visit www.ncat.gov.ng 

Training fee

Despite some recent complaints about the high rate of training fees in NCAT, the institution still maintains her position as one of the cheapest aviation schools in Nigeria.

The school’s training fee ranges from #66,000 to #7,500,000 depending on the course and its duration.

2. International Aviation College (IAC)

The International Aviation College (IAC) was founded in January 2012 by the Kwara State government. The institution was established to provide well-trained aviation professionals in Nigeria which arguably has been duly achieved since her establishment.

The school infrastructure and her strategic location have massively contributed to the outstanding attributes of this institution. With an airport (Ilorin International Airport) adjacent to the school building, aircraft hangar, a plane field, and other amenities; you can never miss becoming a PILOT.

Here is a table showing courses, duration of courses, requirements, and fee range.

3. Dhaewood Aviation Business School (DABS)

DABS is a privately-owned owned aviation training college situated in Lagos and founded in 2005. She is currently rated as the best in the country considering its remarkable track records and also in partnership with many international aviation institutions to ensure that provision of the best quality aviation training to its students. DABS offers her students a wide range of courses. 

Some of the courses offered by DABS including some that are out of the aviation syllabus are listed below:

• Air Ticketing Courses  
• Air travel studies (An online course)
• Airline Cabin Crew 
• IATA Certificate
• Travel Tourism Courses 
• 2D/3D Animation Courses 
• Forex Trading Courses
• C.R.S/ GDS
• Hotel Management
• Cargo Market 
• Business Studies Management
• Environment Management 
• Aircraft Engineering
• Aeronautics
• Shipping Import and Export and lot more

Surely, you do not just learn how to fly a plane around here; you are also fully groomed to handle cases that appear to take place outside the plane.

Training fees

The school training fees for DABS vary according to the courses. The training fee might be up to a sum of #7,000,000 for a course duration of 2 years.

New applicants are also expected to purchase an application form of #5000 on the school website. 

Eligibility. 

This might also be determined depending on the course of choice. However, the basic requirement still applies, which include: 

• The applicant must be at 17 years of age.
• The applicant must have completed his/her senior school with a WAEC certificate or its equivalents. 
• The applicant must be proficient in the English language.

Visit www.dhaewood group.com to find out more.

4. Universal School of Aviation (USA)

This is another well-known aviation college for her numerous achievements in the aviation industry located in Lagos. She has over the years produced well-trained staff for both domestic and international airline organizations.

The USA was recently awarded the “Global Most Reliable Quality Air Transport School of the Year 2018″ on World Quality Day.

Courses offered by Universal School of Aviation (USA)

• Air Ticketing/Reservation (ATR)
• Electronic Booking
• Hotel Management
• Flight Attendant/Cabin Crew
•  Tourism Management
• Travel Agency/Management

Admission Requirement

Applicants to the USA are considered based on their qualifications with no room for discrimination and racism.

• Applicants should log on to their website at www.universalschoolofaviation.com to submit their O’level result and upload their passport photos.

If you cannot upload these documents, you can submit them to the Admission office upon resumption.

• Your application will be considered for a specific period of time. Failure to join the school within the stipulated time will lead to the nullification of such admission.
• Applicants must be proficient in English as all communication will be done using the language to ensure the success of such students

Training Fees

The fees solely depend on the course of study. However, most courses go for a sum of #50,000 at the institutions.

This makes the institution to be one of the cheapest aviation school in the country.

Financial Aids 

Also, newly admitted students can apply for a Financial Aid of 10% discount on the tuition fee.

This is to ensure prompt payment and relieve the pressure on the students and their parents.

The Requirement to apply for Financial Aid 

1. The applicant must show a willingness by submitting a letter of request.
2. The applicant must have a good grade in his/her secondary school result.
3. The applicant must submit a copy of a means of identification
4. Proof of payment of at least 50% of the tuition fee.

Sibling Discount

An automatic 10% is also granted when two (2) siblings are enrolled in the institution. With three (3) or more siblings, the discount is applied for the two lower tuition fees

5. Kwara State University (KWASU)

Are you surprised to see this prestigious state university on the list? Don’t Be!

Kwara State University is actually not a major aviation college but had been included in the list due to the introduction of “Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering” into the school courses in 2017.

It became the first degree-awarding university in Nigeria to offer the course.

I think that is more than enough reason for this prestigious state university to make the list.

So, if you looking forward to becoming an aeronautical engineer, you might as well give the university a shot.

Requirement

Since this is a normal Nigerian University, the requirement remains the same as any other university i.e Jamb result with a minimum score of 180 and an O’ level result with at least 5 credits including English and Mathematics.

Visit www.kwasu.edu.ng to apply 

6. Landrover Aviation Business School (LABS)

This Approved Training Organization (ATO) is situated in Lagos and became operational around 2002. She offers a wide range of courses/programs to her trainees and individuals aspiring to start a career in the aviation industry.

The school has a lot of prestigious awards to prove her efficiency in the aviation industry, from making it to the top ten (10) Aviation Training Institution in Africa three (3) in a row (2011, 2012, and 2013) to producing the best International Air Transport Association (IATA) performer in Nigeria from 2012 to 2019.

Training courses offer by LABS

• Travel& Tourism
• Technical& Operations
• Aviation Management

Training fees 

This ranges from #56, 500 to #256, 000 depending on the course of study.

Requirement

Most of the courses offered here are designed for young school leavers (with O’level result or its equivalent) while others require applicants to might have gained a certain level of knowledge in the field of study.

To apply for this institution, visit www.landover.aeros

7. Lagos Aviation Academy (LAA)

Another great aviation institution situated in Lagos to ensure competency in the aviation industry and prepare the upcoming generation in the field. She partners with both local and international aviation bodies and aero-institutes.

The courses offered in this institution include:

Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Awareness (ADR) Course

IATA Cargo Handling Course (Introductory Course)

IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) Course

Travel & Tourism Courses

Requirement

Interested applicants should visit the school’s website at www.lagosaviationacademy.com to obtain the form

Other necessary information will be submitted after the application form has been obtained.

Training fees

The training fees vary according to the course of study and will be communicated to the applicants.

So far, so good

I believe you will have been able to choose the best institution for you to pursue your career and establish yourself as major personnel in the aviation industry.

Start your journey today, “make hay while the sun shines“.

Ibrahim Clouds

Hey there!

Ibrahim Clouds, here.

I am a blogwriter, a copywriter, a keyword researcher, and a product reviewer. On the side of creating website contents and outreaches for businesses online, I blog about sports, business, entertainment, pets, education, and betting on my blogsite, Henrisoul.com. Whenever I am not writing or blogging, I am either sitting in a lotus pose meditating like a real Tibetan monk or trying to make a balance between sanity and insanity. If you don’t find me doing any of those, call the police, please. I might just have been kidnapped.