Nigerian government has approved the establishment of the first African University of Aerospace and Aviation in Abuja.
President Muhammadu Buhari, through the Aviation ministry, gave the approval for the establishment of the new university.
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika revealed this while presenting the concept document for the new university to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Also, Senator Sirika said the university will close the gaps in the growth and development of the aviation sector.
He said this while leading a delegation of the management team of the Aviation Ministry to the NUC in Abuja.
According to him:
“When we took the leadership in civil aviation, we identified and understood the gap in the growth and development of civil aviation in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general.
Additionally, the minister said, “We are deficient in research and development in civil aviation and aerospace technology
“and that has caused a lot of underdevelopment of the sector and made us to be backward.
Also, he said that “We have been working three to four years now on this,
“And we developed a concept note based on the advice by Executive Secretary NUC for critique,
Furthermore, the Minister said, “And that will fast track the process of setting up the University.
He explained saying, “We have come up with concept note of what will be the focus of this University.”
Potential of the university:
“The potential of this University to serve the market of civil aviation and aerospace within the continent cannot be overemphasized.
The minister added that, “Once the University takes off, a lot will happen and it will change the dynamic.”
Budget for the University:
Senator Sirika also revealed that Buhari has approved N1 billion budgeted for the take-off of the university.
He said the university is for research and development in civil aviation and aerospace technology.
He said the university will develop drones and other AI techs, placing her among world-known research centres.
Uses of the University:
According to him, “An example is the development of drones or unmanned vehicles that are now taken over the space delivering cargo.
Sirika also said that the drones are “delivering mails, delivering things and very soon delivering human beings.
Similarly, Sirika said Nigeria saw the need to establish the university is a new frontier of development.
“We started with Brazil in the area of civil aviation, today Brazil is producing aircraft, and we aren’t producing a pin.
“So, I think we should be able to have this University that is dedicated to aerospace and aviation, in addition to the production of high level manpower.”
Receiving the concept note from Sirika, the NUC’s Executive Secretary, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, assured of expedite action on the project.
He said the commission will ensure that the university is ready before the end of July.
“I can assure you that by the end of the month (July), we are going to have a brand new University,” the prof. said.
“The first of its kind in Abuja, first African University dedicated to aviation and aerospace study in the country.”
Additionally, Professor Rasheed said, “This aviation under your guidance, will be the first to show the way.
He said it will show “that we can support the establishment of a specialized university.
He noted further that the university is one “that won’t only serve us but serve the African region and the International community.”
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