The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Abuja, Dr Mustapha Sheikh Abdullahi, says the institution has attracted international students and established partnerships with foreign aviation institutions less than three years after its establishment.
Abdullahi made the disclosure while outlining the university’s achievements and future plans, saying the institution was established to help address Africa’s shortage of aviation and aerospace professionals.
He said the university had admitted students from Chad and Tanzania, while discussions were ongoing with other African countries on student enrolment and academic collaboration.
According to him, the university currently offers undergraduate programmes in Aviation Business and Meteorology, as well as postgraduate programmes in Air Transport Management, Air Safety Management, and Meteorology and Climate Change Science.
He added that the Directorate of Professional Training had trained aviation professionals through executive and specialised short courses.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor said the university had entered into partnerships with aviation institutions in Australia, France and China to strengthen teaching, research and staff development.
He also disclosed that discussions were ongoing to formalise collaboration with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the United States.
Abdullahi said the university had also become a member of the Global Aviation Universities Association, which he described as part of efforts to strengthen its international engagement.
He acknowledged challenges facing the institution, including inadequate infrastructure, limited funding and a shortage of specialised manpower.
According to him, aviation education requires compliance with international standards, including specialised training and relatively small class sizes.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor further disclosed that the university planned to establish a Faculty of Aeronautics and Space Engineering with support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
He said the proposed faculty would expand the university’s capacity to train engineers and other aviation professionals.
Abdullahi expressed optimism about the institution’s future but noted that achieving its long-term goals would depend on sustained investment, academic partnerships and adherence to global aviation education standards.
