Stakeholders Back Establishment Of African Aviation And Aerospace University

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation industry have voiced strong support for a bill seeking to establish the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU) in Abuja.

They say the proposed university will help address a growing shortage of skilled aviation professionals across Africa and boost Nigeria’s position as a regional hub for training and innovation.

At a public hearing organised by the House Committee on Aviation Technology, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar said the initiative aligns with the government’s long-term vision to make Nigeria a global centre for aviation education.

According to him, the ministry launched the university in 2023 to fill the human capacity gap in the sector and promote homegrown research.

“The African Aviation and Aerospace University is not just an institution; it is the future of aviation manpower development on the continent,” Dr Abubakar told lawmakers.

The chairman of the university’s governing council, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, said the government had already provided 200 hectares of land for the school along Bill Clinton Drive in Abuja, with several buildings completed and relocation underway.

He said the legislation would help secure global partnerships and sustainable funding.

The university’s registrar, Dr Mustapha Sheikh Abdullahi, said AAAU had obtained full accreditation from Nigeria’s education authorities and currently runs seven programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

He added that more than 300 personnel from aviation agencies such as the NCAA, NAMA and the NSIB had undergone executive training at the university.

The Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Capt Danjuma Ismail, described the proposed university as complementary to existing institutions, saying it would provide academic and research pathways that the college does not currently offer.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, said the university would also contribute to national security and Africa’s leadership in aerospace technology.

Quoting forecasts from the International Civil Aviation Organization and Boeing, he said Africa would need more than 70,000 new aviation professionals over the next two decades including 23,000 pilots and 24,000 technicians.

“The establishment of AAAU is not only desirable but essential,” he said. “It must also uphold discipline and global standards in training.”

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji