By ebosele@hotmail.com
The Directorate of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on December 5, 2025, held an internal stakeholders’ engagement to formally announce the go-live and operationalization of the EMPIC Personnel Licensing/Medical (PEL/MED) Digital Licensing System.
In his opening remarks, the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, expressed pride in the Authority’s continued digital transformation, noting that the transition represents a significant step forward in fulfilling NCAA’s safety regulatory mandate.
He emphasized that the system will have a direct positive impact on Pilots, Cabin Crew, and Air Traffic Controllers by modernizing core licensing processes.
The EMPIC system covers Personnel Licensing (PEL) processes and associated technical functions, including aircraft registration and type certification. It will be deployed through a phased rollout, starting with PEL before integrating the Aeromedical (MED) module at a later stage.
Designed to enhance aviation safety and regulatory efficiency, the project introduces modern, secure, card-based licences embedded with QR codes for authentication and verification.
To support this transition, NCAA has developed a structured engagement and training strategy for internal staff across relevant directorates, aimed at easing the shift from manual procedures and ensuring seamless adoption without operational disruptions.
During the session, Engr. Balang Godwin, Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, provided detailed insights into the phased implementation plan. He showcased sample licences and announced plans to establish biometric data-capture centres in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kano to support nationwide rollout.
Engr. Balang also emphasized the importance of strict compliance with the new digital processes to guarantee a smooth transition ahead of the system’s full authorisation in 2026.
The NCAA’s move to digitise its licensing system marks a major leap in strengthening safety oversight, improving service delivery, and aligning Nigeria’s aviation regulatory framework with global best practices.
