The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has commenced a comprehensive review of existing personnel licensing (PEL) examinations to improve assessment standards in conformity with evolving changes in regulations, technology, operational practices and industry requirements.
Delivering his opening address at the five-day workshop organised by the NCAA PEL Examination Committee, themed “Transforming Personnel Licensing Through Computer-Based Testing”, held in Lagos on Monday, 12 October 2026, the Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, represented by the Director, Operations, Licensing and Training Standards (DOLTS), Capt. Donald Spiff, outlined three key priorities for the review.
These include reviewing existing examination questions, developing new questions to reflect emerging aviation technologies and operational demands, as well as ensuring alignment with national regulations and international standards, including ICAO Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
According to him, the committee was established to facilitate the authority’s examination functions, including the development, conduct and periodic revision of tests administered for the issuance of licences, certificates and ratings under Part 2 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023.
As the committee’s work is critical to aviation safety, and PEL examinations directly influence the competence of pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers and air traffic controllers operating within the aviation industry, it must possess technical expertise, integrity and a thorough understanding of aviation regulations, as examination questions must be accurate, objective, fair and aligned with approved syllabi.
Capt. Najomo noted that, as Nigeria’s aviation industry expands with the growth of operators, airports and training organisations, the need for competent personnel and reliable assessment systems becomes increasingly important.
Hence, he urged committee members to use the workshop to strengthen assessment standards and contribute to a safer and more efficient Nigerian aviation industry.
The workshop, which brings together members of the Examination Committee, aviation safety inspectors, licence examiners, industry subject matter experts and representatives of Approved Training Organisations, is expected to support the ongoing review and updating of examination questions across various licence categories, while promoting the development of new questions for modern-generation aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aircraft.
