By George Omagbemi
ABUJA, Nigeria.
Baze University, Abuja, has acquired two training aircraft from Austria as it advances plans to establish a specialised aviation school at its Bwari campus in the Federal Capital Territory.
The university’s Pro-Chancellor, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, disclosed this on Friday after the aircraft received a ceremonial water-cannon salute at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Baba-Ahmed described the acquisition as a significant milestone that would support national development and strengthen Nigeria’s aviation workforce.
He said the university planned to train at least 600 professionals in fields including air traffic control, air rescue and firefighting, subject to approval from the relevant regulatory authorities.
According to him, the institution also plans to develop an aerodrome with an 1,800-metre by 30-metre runway, alongside other supporting infrastructure.
The Coordinator of the Aviation School, retired Air Vice-Marshal Aliyu Bello, said the aircraft would provide practical flight training to complement classroom instruction and ground-school activities.
He said the proposed facility would include a dedicated runway, aircraft hangar, terminal building, laboratories and simulation centres.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, said Baze University was positioning itself to become the first private university in Africa to operate its own aviation school.
The development follows the National Universities Commission’s approval of two undergraduate programmes—Aviation Management and Aerospace Engineering—for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Operating under the motto, “Begin from the Sky,” the project is expected to expand opportunities for aviation education and professional training in Nigeria.
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