In 2022, the Nigerian government is launching a university dedicated to training Africa's future aviation and aeronautics professionals. As the institution begins to make its mark, it aims to draw on international expertise to offer quality training. 

The Ecole Nationale de l'Aviation Civile in France has signed a memorandum of understanding with the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU) in Nigeria. The agreement signed provides for collaboration between the two establishments on seven main points, with the shared aim of enhancing the quality of training and skills of students, teachers and aviation industry professionals in Nigeria.

"Our collaboration with ENAC marks a turning point in our quest for excellence in aviation education. By joining forces with one of the world's leading aviation institutions, we are poised to open up new opportunities for our students and faculty, while contributing to the advancement of the global aviation industry," said AAAU Registrar Mustapha Abdullahi Sheikh.

Under the terms of the agreement, the partnership will involve the development of joint academic programs and the organization of distance learning courses.

It is also planned to provide training programs for the AAAU's management faculty, and to implement programs to enhance the skills of aviation professionals. Other areas of collaboration include research, conference organization and the sharing of resources and facilities.

This collaboration was made possible by the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the university's institutional guardian. For the authorities in Abuja, this collaboration, which will only come into effect once a technical cooperation agreement has been signed, is beneficial to the ambitions of the young Nigerian university.

Launched at the end of 2022 under the academic umbrella of Nile University, the AAAU is designed to help Nigeria and Africa bridge the gap in human resources in the field of aviation. The university is open to students from all over the continent. It offers hybrid courses, mainly in air transport management, aviation business and meteorology.

Vanessa Ngono Atangana