The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has met with Baze University Chancellor, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, to discuss plans for a new School of Aviation in Bwari, Abuja, aimed at developing Nigeria’s aviation manpower and reducing dependence on foreign training.
Baba-Ahmed, who was Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s running mate in 2023, led a delegation of senior university officials, including Vice-Chancellor Prof Jamila Shu’ara and Registrar Prof Abiodun Adeniyi, to the Ministry in Abuja for a courtesy and project-advocacy visit.
The proposed school would feature a dedicated training runway for pilot training and offer programmes in aeronautical engineering, air traffic control, meteorology, and other critical aviation disciplines. Baba-Ahmed described the initiative as a national investment rather than a private venture, emphasizing the urgent need to build local capacity in aviation to meet global demand.
“Over the next 20 years, the world will require about 780,000 aircraft maintenance engineers. Are we going to remain consumers of expertise, or will we start producing our own?” Baba-Ahmed asked, expressing confidence that the school would be operational within a year.
The Chancellor highlighted Baze University’s growth since its establishment in 2011, noting that the institution has graduated over 5,000 students, expanded its academic facilities to over 75,000 square metres, and established Africa’s largest private hospital. He cited the success of Baze graduates both locally and internationally as evidence of the university’s capacity to deliver high-quality aviation training.
Minister Keyamo welcomed the proposal, noting that it aligns with the Federal Government’s objectives of addressing skills shortages and improving regional connectivity. He assured full support from the Ministry, directing regulatory agencies to fast-track approvals and promising that the project would not face bureaucratic obstacles or financial extortion.
Keyamo also emphasized that additional aviation training centres would complement existing institutions such as the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, and the African Aviation and Aerospace University, Abuja, stating that healthy competition would strengthen the aviation ecosystem.
The meeting underscores Nigeria’s focus on strengthening its aviation sector, developing local expertise, and enhancing regional connectivity through targeted investments in education and training.
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