Lagos, 15 October 2026 – The [Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)](https://ncaa.gov.ng) has started a five‑day workshop aimed at overhauling its Personnel Licensing (PEL) examinations, with the goal of modernising test content, improving assessment reliability and aligning licensing standards with current aviation regulations and emerging technologies.
**What is the objective of the review?**
The exercise will examine existing test questions, create new items that address modern aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial systems, and ensure conformity with both national rules and the [International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)](https://www.icao.int) Annex 1 standards. It is intended to boost the credibility of examinations that determine the competence of pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers and air‑traffic controllers.
**Who is leading the initiative?**
The opening address was delivered by the [Director‑General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Capt. Chris Najomo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Najomo) in Lagos, with Capt. Donald Spiff, Director of Operations, Licensing and Training Standards, representing him. Najomo emphasized that the quality of licensing examinations directly influences the competence of personnel operating within Nigeria’s aviation system.
**Why is the review timely?**
Nigeria’s aviation sector has expanded rapidly, with more operators, airports and training organisations emerging. This growth has heightened the need for robust assessment systems that keep pace with advances in aircraft technology, operational procedures and regulatory changes under Part 2 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023.
**What will the workshop produce?**
Participants—including members of the Examination Committee, safety inspectors, licence examiners, industry experts and representatives of Approved Training Organisations—are expected to update the question banks and strengthen the overall assessment framework. The workshop’s theme, “Transforming Personnel Licensing Through Computer‑Based Testing,” signals a shift toward digital examination platforms.
Najomo noted, “The expansion of Nigeria’s aviation industry demands that our licensing examinations evolve to ensure licence holders possess the knowledge required to discharge their safety‑critical responsibilities.” The revised examinations will cover all licence categories, with special focus on modern‑generation aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aircraft.
The committee’s mandate, established under the NCAA’s examination responsibilities, calls for high technical expertise, professional integrity and thorough regulatory knowledge, as the integrity of the licensing process is pivotal to aviation safety in the country.