The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has taken a major step toward modernising aviation regulation with the launch of a new digital platform designed to fast-track pilots’ licensing and medical certification processes.
The platform, known as the EMPIC Personnel Licensing and Medical Certification System, was unveiled on Monday at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja during a stakeholder engagement session with key players in the aviation industry.
It was stressed that the deployment of the EMPIC PEL/MED platform would follow a phased approach, with full operationalisation scheduled for April 2, 2026.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, said the ICAO-approved technology would significantly reduce the time it takes pilots and other aviation professionals to renew their licences and medical certificates, cutting a process that once took weeks to just a few hours when fully operational.
According to him, the system represents a complete overhaul of how the authority manages licensing, medical certification, inspector oversight and data management.
Najomo said, “This is not just a software rollout. It is a fundamental modernisation of our regulatory processes. It aligns with ICAO’s Global Aviation Safety Plan and our vision of becoming a fully digital, data-driven aviation regulator.
“The phased rollout is deliberate and necessary to ensure system stability, data integrity, stakeholder readiness, and regulatory continuity.”
He added that between now and the full go-live date, the NCAA would complete data validation and migration, continue onboarding stakeholders, finalise the accreditation of aviation medical examiners, and issue operational guidelines to support a smooth transition.
Once fully operational, the EMPIC PEL/MED platform will become the mandatory system for all personnel licensing and aviation medical certification transactions, in line with NCAA regulations.
Najomo also disclosed that the platform would integrate seamlessly with other NCAA digital systems, the National Identity Number verification framework, and digital payment platforms, positioning the aviation sector for future growth.
He urged industry stakeholders to actively engage in the transition process, stressing that broad cooperation would ensure transparency, efficiency, and global alignment.
“For years, we relied on manual and semi-digital processes that served us well at the time. But the growing complexity of the aviation industry and the need for real-time oversight make this transition inevitable,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Godwin Balang, said Nigeria has joined a select group of civil aviation regulators worldwide using the bespoke EMPIC technology.
Balang noted that the system, which has been in development for several years, would significantly improve data quality and integrity, with built-in quality assurance features designed to minimise errors.
He further disclosed that four biometric data centres would be established in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano to ensure easy access for aviation professionals across the country.
