A domestic airline, XEJet Limited, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Abuja to establish the XEJet Centre for Aerospace and Space Engineering.

According to the airline, the project is a purpose-built academic hub designed to advance aeronautical and astronautical engineering education in Nigeria and strengthen the country’s position in the global aviation ecosystem.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Group Chief Executive Officer of XEJet Limited, Emmanuel Iza, and made available to journalists over the weekend.

The airline boss said, “At the groundbreaking ceremony of our Flight Support Service facility in January 2025, we were clear about our ambition to position Nigerian aviation firmly on the global map and to empower young aerospace engineers to build, innovate, and compete internationally. The XEJet Centre for Aerospace and Space Engineering marks the beginning of that journey and represents our long-term commitment to the Nigerian aviation space through education, infrastructure, and talent development.”

He added that the project will be delivered through a phased approach: “The first phase will see XEJet equip priority aerospace laboratories within existing University of Abuja facilities to enable immediate teaching and practical instruction while supporting readiness for National Universities Commission and Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria accreditation.

“For the graduate of the university academic programme to be employable, they must have both classroom and industrial exposure, which is facilitated by mutually beneficial academic-industry collaboration.

I have no doubt that the newly established agreement between XEJet and the University of Abuja will, of course, bring about the needed growth, standards and quality in the aeronautical and astronautical engineering programme and aerospace industry.”

He added that this will also help to achieve one of the objectives of the NUC-CCMAS and COREN-OBE for the engineering discipline.

The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Abuja, Professor Abdulfatai Jimoh, appreciated the airline’s move, saying the pact with the institution will benefit society.

“I sincerely appreciate XEJet for reaching out to support our programme and the society through this gesture,” he said.

Under the MoU, both parties will commence the design and development of a permanent, green-powered academic complex. The statement further noted that the final phase will involve XEJet funding and delivering the purpose-built facility, fully aligned with COREN Outcomes-Based Education standards.