Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the specialised mandate of the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Abuja, declaring that the institution will remain a centre of excellence dedicated exclusively to aviation, aerospace and allied disciplines in line with Nigeria’s drive to develop world-class manpower for the sector. This was contained in a statement signed by Chindaya Ahmadu Audu Adamu, Director, Press, and Public Affairs.
This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mahmud Adam Kambari, FCNA, FICA, who represented the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development at the University’s 3rd Matriculation Ceremony held in Abuja.
Addressing the gathering, the Permanent Secretary reiterated the Ministry’s unwavering support for the University, describing AAAU as a strategic national investment established to bridge Africa’s aviation manpower gap and support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
He stressed that there was a need for the University to expand its academic new programme, which must align strictly with its statutory mandate.
“The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development will not support any attempt for AAAU to gradually drift into becoming a conventional university. It was established as a specialised aviation and aerospace university, and that is exactly what it shall remain,” he stated.
Keyamo identified several specialised programmes that would strengthen the University’s relevance to the aviation industry, including Aircraft Engineering, Aviation Management, Airport Operations, Aerospace Engineering, Aviation Cybersecurity, Air Navigation Services, Aviation Law, Aviation Finance, Aviation Medicine, Space Science, Meteorology, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, among others.
He also reminded the newly matriculated undergraduate and postgraduate students that aviation demands discipline, professionalism and excellence, urging them to shun examination malpractice, cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime and other social vices capable of undermining their future careers.
As part of activities marking the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary performed the groundbreaking for three major infrastructure projects, namely the African Institute of Air and Space Law and Faculty of Law Building, the 16-unit Junior Staff Quarters, and the Earth and Environmental Science Building, which will house the Department of Meteorology.
He commended the Acting Vice-Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, and the entire University community for their resilience, commitment and remarkable progress within the short period since the institution’s establishment, assuring them of the Ministry’s continued support.
In his address, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mustapha Sheikh Abdullahi described the University’s journey as one of vision, sacrifice, and determination, noting that he had the unique privilege of being the institution’s first employee.
Reflecting on the University’s rapid growth, he disclosed that student enrolment had increased from 29 undergraduate students in 2023 to 311 students, while its Professional Training Directorate had trained more than 500 aviation professionals, compared to 162 at inception.
He also revealed that over 50 postgraduate students had successfully defended their Master’s degrees, with plans already underway for the University’s maiden convocation in about one year’s time.
Abdullahi charged the matriculating students to embrace hard work, integrity, and innovation, reminding them that incompetence has no place in the aviation industry.
“Aviation is an industry of precision where incompetence kills. If you came here looking for shortcuts, you came to the wrong University. But if you came prepared to work hard, innovate, and compete globally, then I say to you, welcome home,” he said.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, described aviation as one of the fastest-growing sectors globally with enormous career prospects. He encouraged students to remain focused and seize the opportunities available in the industry.
He further announced the approval of scholarships for four additional students under the University’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to ten, including students from host communities.
Delivering the keynote lecture titled “Transforming Africa Through Aviation and Aerospace Education: The AAAU Vision,” former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr. Richard Aisuebeogun highlighted Africa’s growing contribution to the global economy through aviation. He projected that the continent’s contribution to global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would rise from 75 billion dollars to about 190 billion dollars by 2047.
He urged the University to strengthen industry-academia partnerships, expand research funding, and promote greater investment in aerospace research and innovation.
Goodwill messages from aviation agencies and stakeholders commended the University’s rapid achievements and encouraged the students to remain focused on their academic pursuits in order to become future leaders of Africa’s aviation industry.
The traditional ruler of Ido Community, Alhaji Saidu Ido, also expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Governing Council and the University Management for their efforts in facilitating compensation to members of the host community, describing the cordial relationship as a foundation for sustainable development.
The ceremony attracted dignitaries from the government, the aviation industry, academia, host communities, and development partners, reaffirming AAAU’s growing reputation as Africa’s emerging centre of excellence for avaerospace education.
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