A DRAMATIC twist has unfolded in Nigeria’s aviation sector as a disgruntled cabin crew graduate has taken his grievance against the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to an international stage, reporting its Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo, to the Irish Civil Aviation Authority (Irish CAA).
News Point Nigeria reports that the revelation was made public on Tuesday by Michael Achimugu, the spokesperson of the NCAA, through a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Although Achimugu did not disclose the name of the cabin crew graduate, he confirmed that the complainant copied him in the email sent to the Irish CAA.
“This guy wrote the Irish Civil Aviation Authority and copied me. He is reporting the DG of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, to the Irish CAA for not getting automatic employment for him and other cabin crew graduates,” Achimugu stated.
The email reportedly contained strong language condemning the NCAA’s leadership and accusing the authority of failing young professionals in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Achimugu, clearly surprised by the escalation, said: “I don’t know what he expects the Irish CAA to do, why he is indicting the DGCA, or why I have been copied. The email goes on to mention protests, using very strong words.”
Employment of cabin crew members, pilots, and engineers is the sole responsibility of airline operators, not the civil aviation authority.
Despite having 13 domestic scheduled airlines and 23 international carriers currently operating within its borders, Nigeria is still battling a significant capacity shortfall, leaving many newly licensed professionals stranded without jobs.
Last week, the National President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Abednego Galadima, expressed frustration over the refusal of airlines to train and type-rate young pilots and engineers, warning that the industry was on the verge of a talent collapse.
“As the older, highly experienced pilots and engineers age out, the industry is failing to build a pipeline of local talent to replace them. This has led to massive skill gaps and threatens the sustainability of Nigeria’s aviation sector,” Galadima said.
He also lamented the practice of hiring expatriate pilots from Eastern Europe as a cheaper alternative, describing it as a short-sighted measure that worsens the country’s aviation succession crisis.
Achimugu hinted that the complainant’s email threatened possible protests, raising concerns about a brewing crisis within the ranks of Nigeria’s aviation graduates.
