AAAU Seeks Greater Role In Aviation Research, Policy Development

The acting vice-chancellor of the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Dr Mustapha Sheikh Abdullahi has said the institution is determined to become a centre for knowledge generation, policy development and research in aviation, aerospace and environmental science.

Abdullahi stated this at the second international conference of the university’s Department of Aviation Business in Abuja, where he highlighted the institution’s commitment to expanding its academic influence despite being relatively young.

The conference, themed “Digital Transformation and Sustainable Strategies for African Multimodal Transport Future,” brought together academics, researchers, aviation professionals, policymakers and students to discuss emerging trends in transportation and aviation development.

The acting vice-chancellor said sustaining an international academic conference at the university’s formative stage demonstrated its determination to extend its mandate beyond teaching and awarding degrees.

“For a university still in its formative years, sustaining an international academic conference is no small achievement,” he said.

He explained that AAAU was working towards building an institution capable of generating knowledge, influencing policy and contributing meaningfully to the development of aviation, aerospace and environmental science.

Abdullahi commended the Department of Aviation Business, particularly its Head, Dr Henry Chuba Okeke, and other staff members for organising the conference.

He said the department’s efforts had strengthened management’s confidence in its capacity to deliver academic programmes and initiatives that support the university’s wider objectives.

The acting vice-chancellor also emphasised the importance of institutional collaboration, citing the relationship between AAAU and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, as an example of how partnerships could advance aviation education and research.

According to him, NCAT supported the first edition of the conference, while its participation in the second edition further demonstrated the strength of the relationship between the two institutions.

“NCAT is not a mere collaborator, but a significant pillar of the conference,” he said.

He expressed appreciation to the college, led by its Rector, Dr Ismaila Danjuma, for its continued support, noting that cooperation between aviation institutions was essential to achieving shared academic and professional objectives.

Earlier, Danjuma said aviation education and training institutions must adapt to technological advances, changing regulatory requirements and emerging industry demands.

He noted that infrastructure alone could not sustain an effective aviation system without qualified personnel, stressing the importance of training pilots, aircraft engineers, air traffic controllers, flight dispatchers, safety inspectors, managers and regulators.

The NCAT rector said the college had spent more than six decades developing aviation manpower for Nigeria and other African countries but acknowledged the need to move beyond traditional training approaches.

He called for greater integration of research, innovation and continuous professional development into aviation training, alongside stronger partnerships between academic institutions, regulators and industry operators.

Also representative of the ministry of aviation and aerospace development reaffirmed the ministry’s interest in the development of the university.

The minister of aviation and aerospace development Festus Keyamo was represented by the deputy director of planning, research and statistics, Dr. Shittu Rasheed Ayodeji, who said the minister and the ministry’s leadership remained engaged in official assignments, explaining their absence from the conference.

He noted that the conference’s theme placed digital transformation and sustainability at the centre of discussions about the future of Africa’s multimodal transport system.