The Federal Government has pledged strong backing for a proposed aviation training institution by Baze University as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s capacity in specialised education and strengthen the country’s growing aviation sector.
The project is expected to create a dedicated centre for pilot instruction and other technical programmes, with officials describing it as a strategic move to close skills gaps and improve professional standards across the industry.
The planned institution will contribute to workforce development and regional competitiveness, while reinforcing collaboration between government agencies and private education providers seeking to advance aviation expertise.
The assurance followed a meeting on Thursday in Abuja between the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and a delegation from Baze University led by its founder and Chancellor, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, over plans to site the aviation school in Bwari with its own runway.
In a social media post after the visit, Keyamo said, “Earlier today, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Chancellor of Baze University, Abuja, led a high-powered delegation from the University to my office on a working visit,” explaining that discussions focused on establishing a training facility for pilots and related courses.
The minister added, “I assured them of the full cooperation and support of the Federal Government towards the realisation of the project and immediately directed my Permanent Secretary and all relevant aviation agencies to hasten all bureaucratic processes to ensure its take-off,” signalling accelerated approvals.
Permanent Secretary Yakubu Kofarmata described the initiative as important to industry growth, while Baba-Ahmed told officials the programme would cover aviation studies, aeronautical engineering, aircraft management, air traffic control and meteorology, alongside complementary disciplines to support economic and technological progress.
Baze University Registrar Abiodun Adeniyi thanked the ministry for its reception and expressed optimism about timely implementation, as stakeholders emphasised that close coordination between the institution and aviation regulators would be essential to delivering the proposed school.
