NCAA, Vonzota Gold Mentor Lagos Students On Aviation Career Opportunities
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in partnership with Vonzota Gold Ltd, has launched an aviation mentorship programme for secondary school students in Lagos State as part of efforts to expose young people to the wide range of career opportunities available in the aviation industry.
The initiative, tagged “Wings of Tomorrow,” is designed to broaden students’ understanding of aviation careers beyond the commonly known professions of pilots and cabin crew members.
As part of the programme, the organisers also introduced an essay competition titled “Beyond Pilots and Planes: The Hidden Careers That Keep the Sky Moving and Safe.” The competition is open to students in public junior and senior secondary schools across Lagos State.
Speaking during the mentorship sessions involving students from Mende Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, Immaculate Heart Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, and Ojota Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, Assistant Director, Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Education Authority, Mrs Lawal Obiageli Constant, said the initiative would provide students with valuable exposure to career paths within the aviation sector.
Constant said the first, second and third-place winners of the essay competition would receive cash prizes as well as mentorship opportunities under the Wings of Tomorrow programme.
She urged participating students to write their essays in their own handwriting and ensure that their entries were submitted before the stipulated deadline.
During the mentorship sessions, facilitator of the programme, Mrs Veronica C. King-Nwankwo, introduced the students to several aviation professions, including piloting, cabin crew operations, air traffic control, aircraft maintenance engineering and avionics engineering.
She explained that each profession plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, efficiency and smooth operation of the aviation industry.
According to her, avionics engineers, for instance, are responsible for maintaining and ensuring the proper functioning of aircraft computer and electronic systems, making their role essential to modern aviation operations.
At the Mende schools, the programme moderator, Chizoba Anyamele, explained that the initiative was jointly organised by the NCAA and Vonzota Gold Ltd to help students discover the diverse career opportunities available within the aviation sector.
Anyamele identified four broad areas of aviation careers as safety, logistics and operations, avionics, and electrical engineering, noting that professionals across the different fields work collectively to maintain safe and efficient air transportation.
Constant also interacted with students at Ojota Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, where participants expressed interest in pursuing careers in the aviation industry.
The organisers said the mentorship programme would culminate in a grand finale scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2026, by 10 a.m. at Lilygate Hotel, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is expected to attend the event.
