By Joy Onu
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has officially launched the EMPIC Personnel Licensing and Medical Certification (PEL/MED) system, a move set to revolutionize how aviation personnel manage licensing and medical certification in the country.
Announcing the Go-Live on Monday, December 15, 2025, at the NCAA Headquarters in Abuja, Director General, Capt. Chris Najomo highlighted the significance of the system during a stakeholder engagement with Nigeria’s aviation community.
The ICAO approved EMPIC PEL/MED platform, once fully operational, will allow pilots and other aviation professionals to complete licensing renewals within hours, replacing the cumbersome manual and semi digital processes previously used.
“This system represents a fundamental modernization of how we manage licensing, medical certification, inspector oversight, data integrity, and compliance across the aviation sector,” Capt. Najomo said. “It aligns fully with ICAO’s Global Aviation Safety Plan, the State Safety Programme, and our strategic objective of becoming a fully digital, data-driven regulator.”
He explained that while the system is live, full operationalization is scheduled for April 2, 2026. “This phased approach ensures stability, prepares stakeholders for adoption, guarantees data integrity, and maintains regulatory continuity,” he added.
In preparation for full deployment, Capt. Najomo outlined key activities that will take place before April 2026. These include final data validation and migration, continued onboarding and support for stakeholders, completion of the Aviation Medical Examiners (AAMEs) onboarding process, parallel run arrangements, and the issuance of operational guidelines and notices.
Upon its official operationalization, EMPIC PEL/MED will become the mandatory platform for all personnel licensing and aviation medical certification transactions in line with NCAA regulations. Capt. Najomo praised airlines, aviation medical examiners, training organizations, technical partners, and personnel for their cooperation in reaching this milestone and called on stakeholders to actively engage in the post-Go-Live transition.
Speaking at the event, Engr. Godwin Gyang Balang, Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS), noted that Nigeria now joins an elite group of civil aviation regulators using this bespoke technology. He emphasized that EMPIC PEL/MED provides a high-quality, error-checked data system, enhancing integrity and efficiency.
To ensure accessibility, four biometric data centers have been established in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kano. The initiative underscores NCAA’s commitment to digital transformation, safety, and global best practices, positioning Nigeria’s aviation sector for greater efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness.
For decades, the licens
ing and medical certification process relied on manual or semi digital methods. As the aviation industry grows in complexity, the demand for real-time oversight and modern regulatory standards has made the transition to a robust, technology-driven system essential.
