The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Chris Ona Najomo, has declared that Nigeria’s aviation regulatory system is entering a new era of digital governance with the deployment of the EMPIC Personnel Licensing and Medical Certification platform aimed at strengthening safety oversight, transparency and global credibility.
Speaking during the Aviation Industry Stakeholder Engagement on the Digital Transformation Initiative held at the NCAA headquarters in Lagos on Tuesday, Najomo described the launch of the EMPIC PEL/MED Go-Live phase as a defining milestone in the modernization of Nigeria’s aviation regulatory ecosystem.
Addressing airline operators, Approved Training Organisations, aviation medical examiners, industry associations and other stakeholders, the NCAA boss said the initiative would transform licensing and medical certification processes from largely manual operations into a fully digital, data-driven and audit-compliant system.
According to him, the transformation was necessary as traditional paper-based and fragmented regulatory processes could no longer meet the demands of modern aviation oversight, global mobility requirements and compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards.
Najomo noted that the aviation industry globally is increasingly dependent on intelligent digital systems capable of supporting real-time verification, data integrity, transparency and operational efficiency.
He explained that the EMPIC Licensing and Medical Certification platform represents the first phase of the NCAA’s broader digital transformation programme covering both personnel and organisational oversight.
“This initiative represents our deliberate shift toward a data-driven, intelligent, audit-compliant licensing and medical certification ecosystem; one that enhances integrity, transparency and global credibility,” he stated.
The DGCA stressed that licensing and medical certification were not merely administrative procedures but critical aviation safety controls that directly impact operational integrity and public safety.
He disclosed that subsequent phases of the NCAA digital transformation project would focus on organisations and operational surveillance systems across the aviation value chain.
These include Air Operator Certification, Approved Training Organisations, Approved Maintenance Organisations, Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisations, aerodromes, air navigation service providers, meteorology services, ground handling organisations and dangerous goods oversight.
Other future digital modules, according to him, would cover operational specifications management, ramp inspections, aircraft type certification validation, airworthiness certification, aircraft registration, maintenance programme approvals and minimum equipment list approvals.
Highlighting the expected benefits of the new platform, Najomo said aviation personnel would now enjoy online and transparent application processes for licence issuance, renewals and conversions, alongside real-time application tracking, faster processing timelines and QR-code-based verification systems.
He added that the platform would also improve the global portability and credibility of NCAA-issued licences and certificates.
For aviation medical examiners and medical centres, he said the initiative would simplify medical certification workflows through secure digital transmission of medical reports and structured appointment management systems.
Airlines and operators, he explained, would benefit from real-time licence verification capabilities, improved compliance assurance and reduced operational risks associated with invalid or expired credentials.
The NCAA itself, he said, stands to gain enhanced oversight capability, stronger audit readiness, centralized data integrity, improved analytics and greater regulatory accountability.
Najomo further emphasized that governance and data integrity remain at the heart of the project, stressing that every transaction carried out within the platform would be fully traceable through audit logs, compliance validation and time-stamped workflows.
He revealed that the system integrates identity verification using National Identity Number validation for Nigerian applicants and passport verification for foreign licence holders.
The NCAA boss also underscored the importance of stakeholder collaboration and disciplined implementation, saying the success of the digital transformation initiative depends on active participation by airlines, applicants, medical examiners, inspectors and NCAA departments.
According to him, the initiative aligns with ICAO Annex 1 standards on personnel licensing, global best practices in medical certification governance and modern cybersecurity principles.
He added that the reform would strengthen international confidence in NCAA-issued credentials and further improve Nigeria’s standing within the global aviation community.
Najomo commended the NCAA implementation team led by Engr. Balang, alongside technical partners CS2 and project managers, for their resilience and professionalism throughout the implementation process.
He urged stakeholders to actively engage with the system, provide constructive feedback and prepare for full operational adoption as the NCAA continues its drive toward a smarter and globally competitive aviation regulatory framework.
NCAA DGCA Chris Najomo unveils the EMPIC digital licensing and medical certification platform as Nigeria begins a major aviation regulatory transformation aimed at improving safety, transparency and global compliance.
Discover more from Ameh News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
