Nigeria to contribute to global commercial pilots’ demand – Keyamo

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace development, Festus Keyamo has stated that Nigeria is poised to provide manpower capacity to bridge global aviation demands through the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU). Keyamo stated this in Abuja on Thursday at the 3rd Matriculation Ceremony and Lecture of the AAAU. Keyamo said, “It is a global […]

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace development, Festus Keyamo has stated that Nigeria is poised to provide manpower capacity to bridge global aviation demands through the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU).

Keyamo stated this in Abuja on Thursday at the 3rd Matriculation Ceremony and Lecture of the AAAU.

Keyamo said, “It is a global consensus that the industry in the next decade will produce well over 600,000 commercial pilots, more than 700,000 aircraft maintenance engineers and technicians, and hundreds of thousands of additional aviation professionals, including air traffic controllers, airport managers, safety instructors, aviation lawyers, aerospace engineers, cyber security specialists, and aviation business managers. 

“This clearly presents both challenges and enormous opportunities. The opportunity belongs to institutions like AAAU, like AAAU. The responsibility, therefore, rests on this university to prepare young applicants who will not merely seek employment, but will become innovators, regulators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and global leaders within the aviation ecosystem,” he explained.

Keyamo who was represented by the Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Mahmud Adam Kambari further urged the management to expand courses offered at the university.

Also speaking, the acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr. Mustapha Sheikh Abdullahi said the University was established to respond to a global reality as the aviation industry is expanding rapidly across the world.

“Our mission is not simply to award degrees. Our mission is to produce competent professionals, innovative researchers, responsible leaders and solution providers who will shape the future of aviation and aerospace on our 

continent. That is why we remain committed to excellence in teaching, research, innovation and industry collaboration.”