By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

Nigeria’s aviation industry is set for a major digital transformation as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Monday launched a new automated system that will allow pilots and other aviation professionals to renew licenses and medical certificates within hours instead of weeks.

The new platform, known as the EMPIC Personnel Licensing and Medical Certification (PEL/MED) system, went live at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja following a stakeholder engagement with airlines, aviation medical examiners, training organizations, and other industry players.

Announcing the launch, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo described the system as a landmark modernization of Nigeria’s aviation regulatory framework.

“When fully operational, this ICAO-approved technology will fundamentally change how we manage licensing, medical certification, inspector oversight, data integrity, and industry compliance,” Najomo said. “It aligns with ICAO’s Global Aviation Safety Plan and our goal of becoming a fully digital, data-driven regulator.”

The EMPIC PEL/MED system is a globally recognized, ICAO-aligned software used by leading aviation authorities worldwide. Its adoption, the NCAA says, will significantly improve efficiency, transparency, and safety oversight in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

While the system has gone live, the NCAA confirmed that full operationalization will take effect on April 2, 2026, following a phased transition period designed to ensure system stability and stakeholder readiness.

Between now and then, the authority will complete data validation and migration, continue stakeholder onboarding and user support, finalize the onboarding of aviation medical examiners, and run parallel systems where necessary. Operational guidelines and official notices will also be issued ahead of the mandatory rollout.

“Upon operationalization, EMPIC PEL/MED will become the official and mandatory platform for all personnel licensing and aviation medical certification transactions in line with NCAA regulations,” Najomo said.

For decades, Nigeria’s aviation sector relied on manual and semi-digital processes for licensing and medical certification — systems that industry experts say could no longer meet the growing complexity and real-time oversight demands of modern aviation.

The new platform is expected to dramatically cut processing times, enhance data integrity, and improve regulatory compliance across the sector.

Also speaking at the event, Engr. Godwin Gyang Balang, Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, said the adoption of EMPIC places Nigeria among a select group of civil aviation regulators using the bespoke technology.

According to him, the system offers multiple layers of quality assurance to minimize errors and ensure accurate records. He added that four biometric data centers will be established in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kano to provide easy access for aviation personnel nationwide.

Najomo praised airlines, aviation medical examiners, training organizations, and technical partners for their cooperation, calling the launch a collective achievement for the Nigerian aviation ecosystem.

“This initiative positions Nigeria’s aviation industry for greater efficiency, transparency, and global competitiveness,” he said, urging stakeholders to actively participate in the transition ahead of the 2026 deadline.

The NCAA says the digital shift underscores Nigeria’s renewed commitment to safety, professionalism, and global best practices in aviation regulation.