Baze University, located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has expanded its academic infrastructure by taking delivery of two brand-new Diamond DA40 aircraft to support its aviation school situated in Bwari. The newly procured planes touched down late Friday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where they were welcomed with a customary water-cannon salute.
Speaking after the arrival of the aircraft, the Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, highlighted the development as a major milestone for both the university and the broader Nigerian aviation sector. He noted that the initiative is designed to build a robust pipeline of skilled professionals capable of enhancing the country's footprint in the global aviation industry.
What are the target areas for the aviation school?
The institution plans to train a minimum of 600 professionals across various critical fields, pending final approvals from relevant regulatory bodies such as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The specialized areas slated for training include pilot instruction, air traffic control, as well as air rescue and firefighting operations. These practical training efforts will complement the university's approved degree courses in Aviation Management and Aerospace Engineering.
Baba-Ahmed revealed that infrastructural development for the aviation project, which sits on a 92-hectare land area in Bwari, has reached approximately 50 percent completion since construction commenced in January. The master plan features an 1,800-metre runway with a width of 30 metres and an additional 15-metre shoulder, making it a notable private infrastructure undertaking in the country.
How is the training structured?
Retired Air Vice Marshal Aliyu G. Bello, the coordinator of the aviation project, stated that the newly acquired Austrian-built aircraft will be immediately deployed for practical flight instruction. Bello explained that the university intends to acquire additional equipment, including twin-engine planes and flight simulators, as student enrollment scales up.
Furthermore, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved two full-time undergraduate programmes—Aviation Management and Aerospace Engineering—to commence in the 2026/2027 academic session. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi, noted that these developments position Baze University as a pioneer, making it the first private university in Africa to establish an aviation school equipped with its own aircraft and dedicated campus infrastructure.