The minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has tasked the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Abuja to introduce programmes in aircraft engineering, aviation management, airport operations, aerospace engineering, unmanned aircraft systems, aviation law, aviation finance, aviation medicine, logistics and supply chain management, meteorology and other aviation-related disciplines in order to produce experts in these fields.
Speaking at the ceremony on Thursday, at the 3rd matriculation ceremony of the university at its Abuja campus, the minister, who was represented by the permanent secretary, Mahmud Adam Kambari, however, cautioned against allowing the institution to evolve into a conventional university.
According to him, “We have seen situations where specialised universities gradually abandoned their mandates and introduced programmes that barely reflected their core purpose. That will not happen here.
“AAAU was created as a specialised aviation and aerospace university, and as far as this administration is concerned, that is exactly what it shall remain.”
The minister reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to developing AAAU as Africa’s premier institution for aviation and aerospace education.
Also speaking, the acting vice-chancellor of the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Abuja, has described the institution’s third matriculation ceremony as another historic milestone, saying the university is steadily transforming from a bold vision into Africa’s emerging centre of excellence in aviation and aerospace education.
He reflected on the university’s rapid growth since its establishment, noting that he had witnessed the institution’s journey from inception as its first employee.
The acting vice-chancellor said the university was conceived by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to bridge the manpower gap in the aviation and aerospace sectors across Nigeria and Africa.
According to him, “Many people saw only an idea. Some wondered whether it would ever become a reality. Today, this hall provides the answer.”
He disclosed that AAAU began undergraduate academic activities in 2023 with just 29 students but has now grown to a student population of 311. Meanwhile 52 undergraduates and 75 post graduates were involved in the 2026 matriculation.
He also revealed that more than 50 postgraduate students had successfully defended their master’s degree projects, while the university had trained over 500 aviation professionals through its Professional Training Directorate, up from 162 trainees at inception.
According to him, the university remains committed to producing highly skilled professionals, innovative researchers and responsible leaders capable of driving Africa’s aviation and aerospace industry.
Addressing the newly admitted students, the acting vice-chancellor stressed that aviation is a profession where excellence is non-negotiable.
He warned against examination malpractice, absenteeism and academic shortcuts, saying incompetence in aviation could have fatal consequences.
