The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN has reaffirmed that the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU) is poised to be a centre of excellence for research and innovation, fostering academic programmes across Africa.
Keyamo made this statement during the maiden matriculation and groundbreaking ceremony for the AAAU permanent site in Abuja. He highlighted that the AAAU is a brainchild of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, conceptualised by the previous administration.
According to him, AAAU stands as a beacon of excellence and potential, not only for Nigeria and Africa but for the global aviation industry, aiming to establish reputable high-quality teaching and innovative learning delivery techniques.
“Our journey has been driven by a compelling vision to create a robust long-term manpower development plan, addressing the critical human resource gaps within the aviation sector. The demand for skilled professionals in aviation and aerospace is ever-growing, and I am confident that the staff and students of AAAU will eventually lead the world in research and development, paving the way for significant advancements within the industry,” he said.
Keyamo noted that the matriculation marks the commencement of an institution destined for greatness, comprising 30 pioneer undergraduate students and 60 pioneer postgraduate students in various disciplines of aviation and environmental science.
“Upon my appointment as Minister of Aviation last year, I met the university at its cradle, just about to commence admissions for the 2023/2024 academic session. Under my watch, the university has now secured a permanent site right here on Bill Clinton Drive, where I had the honour of performing the groundbreaking ceremony before coming here,” he said.
He emphasised that the AAAU site will house the faculty of aviation management, two auditoriums with a collective seating capacity of 600, a school of postgraduate studies, a central library, a research centre, among other key infrastructures. This was made possible with the approval of a take-off grant for capital projects by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the TETFund.
Keyamo added that the curriculum, designed in collaboration with international experts from renowned aviation institutions, blends theoretical knowledge with practical experience while being tailored to local peculiarities. This ensures that graduates are well-prepared to tackle the challenges of the aviation industry and beyond.
Keyamo charged the students to embrace the opportunities before them, embarking on a journey that will shape their future and the future of the aviation and aerospace industries.
While speaking at the groundbreaking site, the minister revealed that the university currently operates from a temporary campus provided by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) as part of their interagency support. “This current place where we stand today, now designated as the permanent site, is strategically located and fit for purpose.
“We are here today with the support of President Bola Tinubu, who approved a take-off grant for AAAU to complement the budget provision made available for the university’s development in the 2024 appropriation,” he added.
The first phase of development for the university includes the faculties of aviation management building, postgraduate school building, a 250-capacity auditorium, a 350-capacity auditorium, a research centre, a synoptic laboratory for meteorology, a multipurpose laboratory, initial fencing covering 2 kilometres, as well as two ceremonial gatehouses.
He assured that these projects will be completed within 48 weeks, with the help of the TETFund.
“In today’s world, where public-private partnerships thrive, the university intends to explore the possibility of partnering with the private sector for the development of hostels, a clinic, a conference center, and, due to the proximity to the airport, a hotel. We have carefully selected the university site, strategically positioned near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to provide students with invaluable practical experience and to enhance their interaction with other aviation industry agencies. It is a tale of transformation from tenant to landlord. What began as an academic odyssey in 2023, utilizing facilities belonging to a sister agency, has now culminated in the acquisition of approximately 200 hectares of land as a permanent site,” he stressed.
The pro-chancellor of AAAU, Bukar Aji, CFR, in his address, thanked the minister and the ministry for “this great opportunity” to drive the nation’s economic growth.
Aji informed postgraduate and undergraduate students that their journey just started today and charged them to take their future into their own hands to make the aviation sector proud because it is critical to the nation’s economy.
A postgraduate student from the department of air transport management, Stella Ihediwa speaking on behalf of the postgraduate students, disclosed that this is the beginning of their academic accomplishment through education and hard work, aiming to enrich and promote the development of aviation and aerospace in Nigeria and Africa.
She charged her fellow students to embrace this moment as a stepping stone for greater accomplishments and a brighter future.
