The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has met with the Chancellor of Baze University, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, to discuss plans for the establishment of a School of Aviation in Abuja, a move aimed at boosting Nigeria’s aviation manpower and reducing dependence on foreign training.

Baba-Ahmed, who was the running mate to Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the 2023 general election, led a delegation of Baze University’s management on a courtesy and project-advocacy visit to the Ministry in his office in Abuja.

Members of the delegation included the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Jamila Shu’ara, the Registrar, Prof Abiodun Adeniyi, and other senior officials of the university.

The discussions, according to the statement, were centred on Baze University’s proposal to site a School of Aviation in Bwari, Abuja, complete with a dedicated training runway for pilot training and other aviation-related professional programmes.

This was made known through a statement made available to Saturday PUNCH by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister, Tunde Moshood, on Friday.

Speaking at the meeting, Baba-Ahmed expressed appreciation to the Minister for his support and willingness to engage, describing the project as a national investment rather than a private venture.

He said, “We are grateful for the Honourable Minister’s magnanimity and his decision to place national interest above every other consideration. This project is about Nigeria and Africa preparing for the future of aviation.”

The Chancellor recalled that Baze University began operations in 2011 with just 17 students, 60 staff members, and about 3,000 square metres of academic space, noting that the institution has grown significantly over the years.

“Today, we have graduated over 5,000 students, expanded our academic facilities to more than 75,000 square metres, and established Africa’s largest private hospital, which was commissioned during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari,” Baba-Ahmed said.

According to him, graduates of the university are performing strongly in both local and international spaces. “Our graduates are in public service, family businesses, and global institutions. In one cohort of our Master’s students abroad, 30 out of 31 returned with distinctions. We believe we can replicate this success in aviation training,” he added.

Giving reasons for the establishment of the aviation school, Baba-Ahmed stressed that aviation is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, warning that Africa risks falling behind if it fails to build capacity.

“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?” he asked.

He said the proposed School of Aviation would focus on pilot training, aeronautical engineering, air traffic control, meteorology, and other critical aviation disciplines, expressing confidence that the project would soon take off. “Within a year, we hope to invite the minister to flag off the Baze University School of Aviation,” he said.

In his response, Keyamo welcomed the delegation and described the proposal as timely and aligned with the Federal Government’s objective of strengthening the aviation sector.

He said the proposed aviation school would help address the shortage of skilled professionals in the sector, including pilots and air traffic controllers, while also improving regional connectivity.

He said, “We have been discussing this initiative for some time, and I am encouraged by your passion and vision. I put national interest first because I have taken an oath to be fair to all.

“Looking at what Baze University has already achieved, no one can doubt your capacity,” Keyamo noted. “This project addresses both the skills gap and connectivity challenges we face, particularly in West Africa.”

While acknowledging existing aviation institutions such as the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, and the African Aviation and Aerospace University, Abuja, the Minister said the establishment of additional training centres would strengthen the industry.

“This is healthy competition, and healthy competition is good for the aviation ecosystem,” he said.

Keyamo assured the delegation of the Ministry’s full support, directing aviation regulatory agencies to fast-track approval processes for the project.

“All regulatory bodies are on red alert to give you the necessary approvals. You will not be arm-twisted by bureaucracy. No one should ask you for one kobo. If anyone does, report directly to me,” Keyamo promised.