By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Abuja, and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the establishment of a Faculty of Aeronautical and Space Engineering and explore academic collaboration in Online Distance Learning (ODL).
The agreement was reached on Thursday, September 24, 2026, during a follow-up engagement between the two institutions, building on discussions held in May.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of AAAU, Dr. Mustapha Sheikh Abdullahi, said the university sought the mentorship and expertise of ABU towards establishing the proposed Faculty and developing opportunities for ODL collaboration.
Abdullahi said the growing demand for specialized manpower in Nigeria’s aviation and aerospace sector made the establishment of the Faculty increasingly important.
He identified ABU as a strategic partner because of its experience in engineering education and ODL administration, as well as the expertise available within its Faculty of Engineering.
According to him, the proposed collaboration would also enable AAAU to accommodate international students and aviation professionals whose work commitments require flexible learning arrangements.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Zaria, Prof. Adamu Ahmad, welcomed the AAAU delegation and congratulated Abdullahi for pioneering a university dedicated to aviation and aerospace education.
Ahmad assured AAAU of ABU’s commitment to supporting its manpower development efforts, particularly through the university’s Faculty of Engineering, as well as the establishment of the proposed Faculty of Aeronautical and Space Engineering.
The engagement culminated in the formal signing of the MoU by representatives of both institutions, marking a step towards strengthening academic cooperation in aviation, aerospace engineering and flexible learning.
