By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – The African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU) has announced plans to address the critical manpower crisis in the aviation sector by training the next generation of professionals.

The move comes as the industry faces a severe shortage of skilled workers, a challenge recognised globally and aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) NextGen agenda.

The announcement was made on Tuesday during the inauguration of AAAU’s ‘Training the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals’ programme in Abuja.

The event brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for bridging the manpower gap and inspiring young Nigerians to pursue careers in aviation.

Speaking at the event, AAAU Registrar Dr Mustapha Abdullahi emphasised the urgency of the crisis.

“It is summarily agreed that there is a crisis in the sector, especially as it regards manpower. We believe the solution to this crisis might not be our own generation, but the next generation of professionals,” he said.

Dr Abdullahi explained that the university is focused on enlightening students and parents about the vast career opportunities in aviation, noting that the sector requires a diverse range of expertise.

“For an aircraft to be flying, at least 50 other professions are in line. We have quite a number of other lines that people can do, such as the managerial aspect, the financial aspect, and other interdependent sectors,” he added.

Corroborating Dr Abdullahi’s remarks, AAAU’s Director of Professional Training Programmes, Mr Aliyu Tata, highlighted the critical need for initiatives like NextGen to inspire young professionals.

“There is a shortage of manpower in the aviation industry because professionals are retiring or leaving the sector. Many young people are unaware of the opportunities to study aviation,” he said.

Mr Tata also called for partnerships and collaborations from industry stakeholders to support funding, facilities, and equipment for the training programmes.

“Funding is one of the key issues. It is because of this that we are seeking partnerships, collaboration, and support so that industry stakeholders can understand this key issue of concern and provide funding, facilities, and equipment to support the young talented students,” he added.

Dr Eniola Olaniyan, Head of the Meteorology Department at AAAU, underscored the importance of early exposure to aviation careers.

“This training aims at catching the youngsters young and exposing them early enough to opportunities to fill the employment gaps in the aviation sector,” he said.

Dr Olaniyan expressed optimism that in the next five years, the initiative would produce a new wave of professionals ready to address the sector’s challenges, with the federal government’s support ensuring adequate employment opportunities.

“This is a starting point in addressing those gaps, and we believe that in the next five years, we will have a whole lot of professionals in the aviation industry who will be ready to fill this gap,” she stated.

The AAAU’s Career Development Training initiative, designed for young Nigerians and Africans aged 16–25, introduces participants to key areas such as piloting, aircraft engineering, aviation management, and air traffic control.

With over 400 students currently enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional training programmes, the institution is poised to play a pivotal role in building a sustainable pipeline of aviation professionals.

As a publicly owned university, AAAU aims to become self-sustaining in the near future while contributing to Nigeria’s and Africa’s aviation growth. The initiative not only addresses the immediate manpower crisis but also positions Nigeria as a regional leader in aviation education and workforce development.