Federal Government rules out transformation of aviation university into traditional school

The African Aviation and Aerospace University, Abuja, will remain focused on aviation and aerospace education, with the Federal Government warning against any deviation from its core mandate, as stated by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mahmud Kambari.

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Kambari, representing the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made this statement at the university's matriculation ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, emphasizing the institution's role in bridging the manpower gap in the aviation industry.

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The university was established to produce skilled professionals for the sector, with Kambari noting that it is a strategic national investment designed to address the industry's manpower needs, in line with President Bola Tinubu's agenda to reposition the Nigerian aviation industry for national economic growth.

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Kambari highlighted the importance of human capital development, stating that the university's growth demonstrates the drive to produce highly skilled professionals who can compete globally, with the industry requiring hundreds of thousands of skilled workers over the next decade.

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The global demand for aviation professionals is expected to be high, with over 600,000 commercial pilots, more than 700,000 aircraft maintenance engineers and technicians, and hundreds of thousands of additional aviation professionals needed in the next decade, according to Kambari.

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He urged the university to expand its academic offerings, but emphasized that any new programs must remain relevant to aviation and aerospace, with the ministry opposing any attempt to transform the institution into a conventional university.

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Kambari stressed that the university was created as a specialized aviation and aerospace institution and must remain so, with every new program introduced aligning with the university's strategic mandate and contributing to aviation, aerospace, and related sectors.

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The permanent secretary cautioned against the temptation to become a conventional university, instead striving for excellence in aviation and aerospace education, and assured the university of continued government support despite existing challenges.

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Kambari also advised newly admitted students to shun social vices, such as drug abuse, cybercrime, and violence, and to manage their time wisely, respect their lecturers, and build good friendships that will positively shape their future.

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Acting Vice-Chancellor Mustapha Abdullah noted that the university has recorded significant growth since admitting its pioneer students in 2023, with the student population growing from 29 to 311, and over 500 professionals trained through the university's professional training Directorate.

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Abdullah also highlighted the university's progress in postgraduate education, with over 50 postgraduate students successfully defending their master's degrees, and plans for the maiden convocation of AAAU to take place in about a year.

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The university was established to meet Africa's growing demand for skilled aviation professionals, with Abdullah stating that the institution's mission is to produce competent professionals, innovative researchers, responsible leaders, and solution providers who will shape the future of aviation and aerospace on the continent.

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Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council Bukar Goni noted that the rapid expansion of Nigeria's aviation sector has created vast career opportunities for students, with the sector being wide and promising, and opportunities in the market being prevalent for everyone who wants to make a career in aviation.

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Goni also disclosed that the university has expanded its scholarship program for indigent students, with the governing council sponsoring students without any financial contribution from their parents, and approving an additional four students to be sponsored by the university.

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The African Aviation and Aerospace University was established by the Federal Government in 2022 under the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to address the shortage of skilled aviation professionals in Nigeria and across Africa.

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The university commenced academic activities in 2023 with 28 pioneer undergraduate students studying Aviation Business and Meteorology, and postgraduate programs were introduced shortly afterwards, with the institution currently operating from a temporary campus along the Abuja airport corridor.

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In July 2024, the Federal Government performed the groundbreaking for the university's permanent campus in Abuja, with the first phase of development comprising seven projects supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, and Minister Festus Keyamo stating that the institution was conceived to serve as Africa's premier aviation and aerospace university.