……AAAU, NCAT push innovation and manpower development to close Africa’s aviation gap
By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
Abuja, August 21, 2025 – Nigeria’s aviation sector moved a step closer to bridging its manpower and innovation deficit yesterday as the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Abuja, and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria jointly hosted the First International Aviation Research Conference in the nation’s capital.
With the theme “Innovative Multimodal Transportation Solutions, Regulatory and Policy Framework for Development and Sustainability,” the conference gathered policymakers, regulators, academics, and industry leaders to address Africa’s aviation challenges.
AAAU Registrar, Dr. Mustapha Sheikh Abdullahi, said the partnership signaled a turning point for Nigeria’s aviation research. “This is more than a gathering; it is the manifestation of the vision that our university becomes a true centre of excellence and a hub for aviation and aerospace development,” he noted.
On his part, NCAT Rector, Dr. Danjuma Ismaila Adamu, stressed that sustainability, safety oversight, unmanned aircraft integration, and manpower development required research-driven, evidence-based solutions. “This platform allows Africa to craft answers that fit its context while aligning with global best practices,” he said.
Keynote speaker, Prof. Innocent Ogwude, one of Nigeria’s foremost transportation scholars, and Capt. Ricardo Garcia, PhD, a former head of Bolivia’s Civil Aviation Authority and ICAO representative, set the tone with expert insights on policy, training, and innovation.
The event also featured goodwill messages and technical paper presentations, with sessions continuing today. Organizers say the conference will produce actionable recommendations to drive sustainable aviation growth in Nigeria and across Africa.
