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By Chidi Ugwu
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has received in audience the Chancellor of Baze University, Senator Yussuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, who led a high-powered delegation of the university’s top management on a courtesy and project-advocacy visit to the Ministry.
In a statement, Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser On Media and Communications, said the delegation included the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jamila Shu’ara, and the Registrar, Prof. Abiodun Gabriel Adeniyi, among other senior officials. The visit focused on Baze University’s proposed School of Aviation in Bwari, Abuja, complete with a dedicated training runway for pilot training and other aviation-related professional programmes.
Speaking during the meeting, Senator Baba-Ahmed thanked the Honourable Minister for what he described as his magnanimity and patriotism in placing national interest above all other considerations in supporting the project. He recalled the humble beginnings of Baze University in 2011 with just 17 students, 60 staff and 3,000 square metres of academic space, noting that the institution has since grown into a major private university with over 5,000 graduates, more than 75,000 square metres of academic facilities, and Nigeria’s largest private hospital in Africa, commissioned during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari and represented by the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
“Today, our graduates are in public service, family businesses and global institutions. Many of our students who studied for their Master’s degrees abroad returned with distinctions — 30 out of 31 in one cohort. We are launching another legacy,” the Chancellor said.
He noted that aviation is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, stressing that the world will require about 780,000 maintenance engineers in the next 20 years, and questioned Africa’s preparedness.
“Are we going to remain consumers of expertise? Education, healthcare, tourism and now aviation are the strategic paths to blocking Nigeria’s economic leakages. We want to start producing expertise in pilot training, aeronautical engineering, air traffic control, meteorology and other critical aviation disciplines,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
He expressed confidence that within a year, the Honourable Minister would be invited for a working visit to flag off the Baze University School of Aviation.
In his response, the Minister, Festus Keyamo, SAN, warmly welcomed the delegation and commended the vision behind the project.
“We have been in discussions on this for some time, and I am very encouraged by your passion and your vision. As you rightly said, I put national interest first because I have taken an oath to be fair to everyone,” the Minister said.
He described the proposed School of Aviation as an extension of Baze University’s proven capacity and credibility.
“Looking at what you have already achieved, no one can doubt your capability. Your vision for a School of Aviation addresses two major issues in our sector — the skills gap and connectivity challenges, especially in West Africa,” he noted.
The Minister cited regional connectivity challenges and the shortage of aviation professionals, including air traffic controllers, as areas where the project would add immense value. While acknowledging the presence of institutions such as the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), the Minister described the emergence of more aviation institutions as healthy and beneficial competition for the sector.
“I am in a position where I must embrace competition, but this is healthy competition that strengthens our aviation ecosystem. Initiatives like this add value not just to aviation, but to Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
The Minister assured the delegation of full institutional support, directing all aviation regulatory bodies and the Ministry’s management to fast-track the approval processes.
“All the regulatory bodies are on red alert to give you the necessary approvals. I will direct the Permanent Secretary to begin procedures immediately. You will not be arm-stronged by bureaucracy. No one should ask you for one kobo. If anyone does, talk to me directly,” Keyamo emphasized.
The proposed Baze University School of Aviation is expected to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s human capital development in aviation, boost local capacity, reduce dependence on foreign training, and strengthen the country’s position within the global aviation ecosystem.
