ABU to Mentor AAAU’s Faculty of Aeronautics and Space Engineering

By Haliru Hamza 

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has entered into a partnership with the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Abuja, to mentor and support the development of the proposed Faculty of Aeronautics and Space Engineering at the specialised institution.

The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two universities on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at ABU, Zaria.

Under the agreement, ABU will provide academic and technical support to AAAU in establishing the faculty, developing curricula and academic programmes, building staff capacity, promoting collaborative teaching and research, and strengthening quality assurance mechanisms.

AAAU is a specialised public university based in Abuja, established by the Federal Government and overseen by the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

The collaboration, according to the institutions, is driven by the need to develop indigenous capacity in aeronautics, aerospace and space engineering in Nigeria and across Africa.

ABU’s longstanding experience in engineering education, research and innovation was also cited as a basis for the partnership.

The agreement provides for ABU’s support in the development of a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including Bachelor of Engineering degrees in Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Space Systems Engineering, Avionics Engineering and Aircraft Systems Engineering.

The institutions will also work towards the development of Master of Engineering and PhD programmes in relevant fields.

Beyond academic programmes, the MoU provides for collaboration in establishing specialised research and innovation facilities. 

These include a Centre for Aeronautics Research, Space Technology Centre, UAV Innovation Centre, Advanced Manufacturing Centre, Propulsion Laboratory and Flight Simulation Centre.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, signed the MoU on behalf of the university, while AAAU’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Dr Mustapha Sheikh Abdullahi, signed for the specialised university.

The documents were witnessed by the Registrar of ABU, Rabiu Samaila, and AAAU’s Acting Registrar, Mr Dennis Joseph Onwukwe.

Also present at the ceremony were ABU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Raymond B. Bako, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Advancement, Research and Innovation, Prof. Aliyu Rafindadi Sanusi.

The partnership is expected to provide a structured framework for the transfer of academic expertise, institutional experience and research capacity to support the development of specialised aviation and aerospace education in Nigeria.

The collaboration comes as both institutions seek to contribute to the development of a skilled workforce capable of supporting Nigeria’s emerging aviation, aerospace and space technology sectors.