Chinedu Eze
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has commenced investigation to expose a syndicate allegedly issuing licenses to foreign aircraft maintenance engineers who work for Nigerian airlines at outrageous prices.
The NCAA in a letter reference: NCAA/DOLTS/GEN/VOL.V/22726/2; dated June 29, 2026, titled, ‘Letter of Investigation of Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s License (AMEL) Number 6520,’ and signed by the Director, Operations, Licensing and Training Standards (DOLTS), Captain D. Spiff on behalf of the Director General, NCAA, it said it discovered irregularities with the application process, procedures and relevant documents including payment concerning the licence and the ratings converted.
According to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulation (Nig. CARs Part 2), NCAA does not issue full standalone Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s License (AMEL) to foreign engineers; instead, it validates foreign issued licenses for engineers working on Nigerian-registered aircraft.
It was learnt that the suspected syndicate collects from N500, 000 to N700, 000 to issue this license but the official cost of such license is N50, 000.
“The Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s Licence number 6520 converted on 16th January, 2026 is currently under investigation. The Authority discovered irregularities with the application process, procedures and relevant documents including payment concerning the licence and the ratings converted.
“The Authority is currently investigating the irregularities with this licence. We wish to offer you an opportunity to submit to the undersigned copies of every application document and evidence of payment leading to the conversion of the licence within seven days following receipt of this letter. By this letter you are not allowed to exercise the privileges contained in the licence. If we do not hear from you within the specified time, we will process this matter without the benefit of your statement,” NCAA said.
THISDAY findings also indicated that some pilots of private jets or in business aviation under the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) allegedly renew their licenses without going through the mandatory simulator training, which would qualify them for the license renewal.
Pilots who fly private jets are expected to renew their operating license at most every one year and are required to pass their Pilot Proficiency Check (PPC) or Operator Proficiency Check (OPC) in a flight simulator.
This was confirmed in the final report of the Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Private Charter Operations and Related Matter published last year.
The report revealed that some of the pilots investigated had not obtained their PPC or OPC in the last 24 to 26 months, which is two to three years, an action that is described by industry insiders as illegal and breach of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.
Commenting, the Director of Public Affairs and Customer Protection, NCAA, Michael Achimugu, who said that he was unaware of such going on, adding, “NCAA is investigating the matter, it would only take action after the report of the investigation.”