By Abu Kondogbala
The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has inspired the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) after leading a group of young children on a guided tour of the Lungi International Airport facilities.
Dubbed the “next generation of aviation professionals,” the children were briefed on airport operations by a cross-section of SLCAA staff, accompanied by their parents and guardians. They were exposed to various aspects of aviation including check-ins, firefighting, aviation security, and CCTV monitoring. The children also had the opportunity to ask questions and visit different departments within the facility.
“Our visit to the airport gave children a hands-on experience of aviation—from check-in to firefighting,” said Musayeroh Barrie, Director General of SLCAA.
While addressing the children, the DG emphasized that the initiative was designed to encourage them to consider aviation as a career path they would never regret. She also urged parents to nurture their children’s curiosity, stating, “The future of aviation begins with them.”
The visit aligns with SLCAA’s commitment to youth engagement and capacity building, as highlighted at the ICAO Next Generation of Aviation Professionals summit held in Durban, South Africa. During the summit, the DG shared Sierra Leone’s transformative journey in aviation development and delivered a compelling message: “Sierra Leone is not just talking about the future of aviation—we are actively building it.”
As the world’s youngest Director General—an African and a woman—Barrie has publicly championed opportunities for young people in Sierra Leone’s aviation sector, pointing to the arrival of the national carrier, digital transformation in the industry, and the regrowth of Lungi as an international hub.
At the end of the visit, the children left fulfilled and inspired, with many now considering aviation as a future career.
