Over 1,000 Nigerian pilots jobless -- Association chairman

The Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria, Capt. Noggie Meggison, has said that there were more than 1,000 unemployed indigenous pilots in Nigeria.

Meggison told newsmen in Lagos that foreign pilots were coming into the country in large numbers and getting jobs easily while Nigerian pilots were ``roaming the streets’’.

He appealed to the Federal Government to put in place an employment policy that would ensure that indigenous aviation professionals were engaged by both indigenous and foreign carriers operating in the country.

Maggison urged the government to propose a local content bill to the National Assembly that would compel local and foreign airlines to employ a specific number of Nigerian pilots.

``The latest addition to the list of unemployed professionals in the country is a sad reminder of Nigeria’s inability to develop and care for its own human capital.

``Unfortunately, Nigerian unemployment imbroglio is not peculiar to Nigerian pilots and aircraft engineers alone but it cuts across sectors of the economy," Meggison said.

He said that the collapse of many carriers in Nigeria, coupled with the penchant for airlines to engage foreign pilots and engineers had done serious damage to the sector.

``Last year, there were over 500 pilots that were without work and similar situations are befalling others.

``We need to open up the industry for more investors and give the young ones an opportunity to achieve their aspirations.

``All bottlenecks for investors should be removed to allow serious investors whether domestic or foreign to buy into aviation.

``This will also pave the way for more jobs and even consultants to thrive," the chairman said.