In a major move aimed at modernising aviation regulation and improving operational efficiency, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has launched a new digital platform designed to significantly speed up the licensing and medical certification processes for pilots and other aviation professionals.
The platform, known as the EMPIC Personnel Licensing and Medical Certification (PEL/MED) System, was unveiled on Monday at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja during a stakeholder engagement session attended by key players across Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.
The authority said the deployment of the ICAO-approved technology would follow a phased implementation plan, with full operationalisation scheduled for April 2, 2026, to ensure system stability, data integrity, and stakeholder readiness.
Speaking at the launch, the Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, described the initiative as a fundamental shift in how aviation regulation is conducted in Nigeria, noting that it goes beyond the introduction of new software to represent a complete overhaul of regulatory processes.
According to Najomo, once fully operational, the EMPIC PEL/MED system will drastically reduce the time required to renew licences and medical certificates, cutting processes that previously took weeks down to just a few hours.
“This is not just a software rollout. It is a fundamental modernisation of our regulatory processes,” Najomo said. “It aligns with ICAO’s Global Aviation Safety Plan and our vision of becoming a fully digital, data-driven aviation regulator.”
He explained that the platform would transform the way the authority manages personnel licensing, aviation medical certification, inspector oversight, and regulatory data management, while also enhancing transparency and real-time monitoring.
Najomo said the phased rollout was deliberate, stressing that the NCAA must first complete data validation and migration from legacy systems, onboard stakeholders across the industry, finalise the accreditation of aviation medical examiners, and issue comprehensive operational guidelines to support a smooth transition.
He added that once the system goes live, the EMPIC PEL/MED platform would become the mandatory channel for all personnel licensing and aviation medical certification transactions, in line with existing NCAA regulations.
The NCAA boss also disclosed that the platform would integrate seamlessly with other digital systems operated by the authority, as well as with the National Identity Number verification framework and approved digital payment platforms. He said this integration would help eliminate duplication, reduce errors, and strengthen regulatory oversight across the aviation sector.
“For years, we relied on manual and semi-digital processes that served us well at the time,” Najomo said. “However, the growing complexity of the aviation industry and the need for real-time oversight make this transition inevitable.”
He urged airlines, pilots, medical practitioners, and other aviation professionals to actively engage with the transition process, noting that broad cooperation would be critical to ensuring efficiency, transparency, and alignment with global best practices.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards at the NCAA, Godwin Balang, said the introduction of the EMPIC system places Nigeria among a select group of civil aviation authorities worldwide that have adopted the bespoke technology.
Balang noted that the system, which has been under development for several years, is designed to significantly improve data quality and integrity through built-in quality assurance features that minimise human error and enhance regulatory accuracy.
He explained that the platform would provide a more reliable and secure database for aviation personnel records, supporting better planning, oversight, and compliance with international safety standards.
As part of efforts to ensure nationwide accessibility, Balang disclosed that four biometric data centres would be established in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kano. He said the centres would allow aviation professionals across the country to easily enrol their biometric data and access the new system without unnecessary travel or delays.
Industry stakeholders at the engagement session welcomed the initiative, describing it as a long-overdue step that could improve efficiency, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s aviation regulatory framework.
The launch of the EMPIC PEL/MED platform comes at a time when the NCAA is intensifying reforms to enhance safety oversight, align more closely with international standards, and position Nigeria’s aviation sector for sustained growth in an increasingly digital global industry.
With the full rollout scheduled for 2026, the authority said the months ahead would be focused on stakeholder training, system testing, and continuous engagement to ensure a seamless transition to the new digital regime.
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