AAAU, NCAT Call For Digital Transformation In African Aviation Training
The African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Abuja, and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) have called for greater innovation, research and institutional collaboration to prepare Africa’s aviation industry for digital transformation and emerging technological challenges.
The call was made on Tuesday at the second international conference organised by the Department of Aviation Business of AAAU in Abuja, where stakeholders emphasised the need to modernise aviation training to meet evolving industry demands.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of AAAU, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, said the university was committed to becoming a centre for knowledge generation, policy influence and the advancement of aviation, aerospace and environmental science.
Abdullahi noted that sustaining an international academic conference while the institution was still in its formative years demonstrated its commitment to research, intellectual development and the advancement of aviation education.
He also acknowledged the support of NCAT, describing the partnership between the two institutions as an example of how collaboration could strengthen aviation training and professional development across the continent.
Similarly, the Rector of NCAT, Dr Ismaila Danjuma, stressed that aviation training institutions must adapt to changing industry requirements, warning that traditional training methods alone might no longer adequately prepare professionals for emerging challenges.
He explained that the aviation sector was undergoing significant changes driven by technological innovation, evolving regulatory frameworks, new safety and security requirements, and changing passenger expectations.
According to him, these developments are taking place alongside Africa’s growing population, increasing air traffic and regional integration initiatives, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
Danjuma said the changing landscape required aviation training institutions to strengthen research, encourage innovation and promote continuous professional development while building closer partnerships with universities, regulators and industry operators.
He emphasised that the competence of pilots, aircraft engineers, air traffic controllers, flight dispatchers, safety inspectors, managers and regulators remained fundamental to the safety, efficiency and sustainability of the aviation system.
The NCAT rector said the college had spent more than 60 years training aviation professionals for Nigeria and other African countries.
He added that its recognition as an International Civil Aviation Organisation Regional Training Centre of Excellence with Platinum status reflected its contribution to aviation capacity development.
However, Danjuma said the institution recognised the need to go beyond preparing professionals for existing responsibilities and equip them with the skills required to address future industry demands.
“We must move from training for current tasks to training for emerging challenges and opportunities,” he said.
He further called for research, innovation and continuous professional development to become integral components of aviation training, noting that academic conferences provided platforms for sharing research findings that could influence industry practices and policy decisions.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to developing the aviation sector.
Keyamo, represented by the ministry’s Deputy Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Shittu Ayodeji, said digital transformation and sustainability were critical to the future of Africa’s multimodal transport system.
The conference underscored the importance of equipping aviation professionals with relevant digital skills and strengthening cooperation among academic institutions, regulators and industry stakeholders to position Africa’s aviation sector for future growth.
