CHOOSING AN EXCITING CAREER: WHY AVIATION?

Frankly speaking, choosing a career is increasingly becoming

more and more difficult for the youth in this age. This apparently
is due to advancement of technology, the ever growing number of
career choices, the uncertainty and unpredictability of the labour
market, and economic crisis in national economies and the global
level. I will, therefore, acknowledge that the topic of this event is
timely and commendable.
Civil aviation had come a long way since the experiment of the
Wright Brothers with their Kitty Hawk on December, 1903. The
industry had profoundly made impactful growth and remarkable
technological advancements. With its numerous benefits, aviation
has become an entrenched part of our existence and well-being.
The shrinking of the world into a global village has made aviation
a key factor driving globalization of trade, ideas and the
integration of cultures, and catalyst for employment generation.
As disclosed in the report of the Aviation Transport Action Group
(ATAG), 2014, aviation supports 58.1 million jobs globally
(including tourism related). Aviation has also become a reputable
source of national pride as it projects the image of a nation
abroad. We can attest to the grand image and pride the defunct
Nigerian Airways bestowed on our national psyche.

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It will be honest, however, to add that aviation is not without its

own challenges. As part of a chain of connected systems within
and without, aviation is also bedeviled with its own peculiar
challenges. As safety and security are seen as the most
fundamental issues of concern in the industry; current global
economic crisis and shrinking national economies are also factors
negatively affecting the growth of the industry. Many airlines are
struggling with consistently increasing operating costs, huge
debts, and stringent state regulations; all of these cumulating to
rampant job retrenchments.
However, this is not to counsel despair. Despite these prevailing
seemingly enormous challenges, aviation remains an expanding
industry in Nigeria and at the global level. Aviation is expected to
grow at a remarkable 5% level compared to the global GDP of
3.1%. IHS Economics in its 20 years global aviation growth
forecasts, presented a 4.9% air passenger traffic; a 4.7% cargo
traffic. These forecasts paints an industry with enormous
potentials for growth and support jobs. Evidently, aviation has a
bright prospects, vast opportunities for growth, and for one to
pursue an exciting career.

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It is delightful to add that aviation in Nigeria is experiencing a

remarkable rejuvenation. The current administration is given
aviation the deserved priority attention. The Honourable Minister
is bringing his wealth of experience and diligence in tackling the
industrys myriad of challenges in order that the sector fully plays
it crucial role of job creation and value addition. I will not detain
you by listing the policies and achievement of the administration.
I have earlier acknowledged the difficulty in choosing a career, I
would like to add that choosing a career requires profound
solemnity. It is not a thing one can afford to undertake recklessly.
Aviation, typically, is quite a serious industry and requires high
sense of discipline, responsibility, and due regards for laid down
Standard and Recommended Practices. Aviation profession is a
distinctive

calling

with

high

ethical

and

standardized

responsibilities.
Aviation involves a closely linked categories of interconnected
activities. Every flight involves interaction across a complex chain
of partnersairlines, airports, air navigation service providers
(ANSAPs), ground handlers, system providers, security screeners,
etc. And all these aspects of the industry are to be handled by
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professionally trained personnelPilots, Air Traffic Controllers,

Aeronautical Engineers, Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, AVSEC
personnel, and a host of other professionals who work in close
collaboration to ensure safe flying at all times. A failure in one
leads to cascade failure in the rest, and could potentially cost the
lives of hundreds of people.
Aviation

is

an

exciting

industry.

Aviation

professionals

contributes enormously to nation building. They do not only make

connection of people and places possible, they also play a critical
role in nation building and safety of lives and property.
In aviation, the principal priority is SAFETY. Anyone wishing to
become an aviator must understand that the safety of peoples
lives depends on his or her decision. This is the fact why those
planning to choose a career in aviation must look beyond
pecuniary benefits. An aviator must first and foremost, have a
great passion for the industry. I believe, it is your passion in a
particular career that can birth an exciting experience in that
profession. It is that unique and steadfast passion that
considerably drives you, that gives you satisfaction in the job, and
not necessarily the monetary or pecuniary benefits that come
along. An exciting career is not defined by the size of the salary or
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wage, but rather, the inherent passion you have for that job or
trade. This is one thing I must encourage our dear young men and
women to constantly appreciate.
For our youth, having a desire and love to pursue a career in
aviation is very important, but it is not going to be enough. You
must undertake the necessary training and education as the
proximate step to realize that dream. To pursue a career in
aviation, you must have a comprehensive and thorough training
to obtain the necessary certifications or licenses. So I want to
encourage you that you must back up your dream with
commitment to undergo the required trainings.
Regrettably, aviation programmes are relatively expensive. This
has particularly been a great concern for me, partly as a Rector of
a Training Centre and overridingly my desire that our talented
youth with interests to pursue careers in the industry should be
availed the opportunity and not constrained by financial
drawbacks. In NCAT, we are applying the best of strategies to
ensure our programmes are cost effective, and at the reach of
Nigerians. Arguably, because of the support of the government,
course fees in NCAT are comparatively the cheapest you can
found anywhere.
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The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, established in

1964 is an approved Aviation Training Organization (ATO),
statutorily charged with the primary responsibility of training
aviation professionals for the nation and the regions air transport
industry. NCAT is one of the few fully integrated training centres
in the world having the core areas of aviation training--Flying,
Aircraft Maintenance, Air Traffic Management, Air Traffic Safety
Electronic Engineering, and Aviation Management co-located on
the same campus.

I want close by once again thanking the organisers of this event

for this privilege to be with all of you here today. I want encourage
our dear young and energetic youth and students to keep their
dreams in perspective and pursue them with all the youthful
vigour. Remember, that the power to achieve anything great in life
is not in anywhere else but within you. God has blessed you with
that capacity.
I hope that after this programme, you will join us soon in Zaria to
realize your aviation dream. We are prepared to mold your dream
to reality. I love you and wish you success in your life endeavours.

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I thank you all for your kind attention.

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