The African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Abuja, and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the establishment of the Faculty of Aeronautical and Space Engineering at AAAU and to explore collaboration in Open Distance Learning (ODL).
According to a statement released in Abuja on Friday by the AAAU Media Office, the MoU, signed on Thursday, September 24, 2026, followed an earlier engagement between the two institutions in May 2026 on areas of mutual academic and institutional interest.
Speaking during the visit, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of AAAU, Dr. Mustapha Sheikh Abdullahi, said the partnership was aimed at leveraging ABU’s mentorship and expertise for the takeoff of the new faculty.
He noted that the growing demand for specialised manpower in the aviation and aerospace sector had made the establishment of the faculty imperative.
According to him, ABU was a strategic partner given its long-standing experience in engineering education and its pool of seasoned academics in the Faculty of Engineering.
Abdullahi also disclosed that AAAU was exploring collaboration with ABU in Open Distance Learning, an area where ABU is a pioneer in Nigeria.
He explained that the collaboration would enable AAAU to accommodate international students and aviation professionals whose work schedules require flexible learning models.
In his response, the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, welcomed the AAAU delegation and congratulated Abdullahi on leading a specialised university dedicated to aviation and aerospace education.
Ahmed assured AAAU of ABU’s commitment, particularly through its Faculty of Engineering, to support manpower development and the establishment of the Faculty of Aeronautical and Space Engineering.
The engagement culminated in the formal signing of the MoU by representatives of both institutions, marking a significant step towards deepening academic cooperation, strengthening postgraduate education and developing specialised manpower for the aviation and aerospace industry.
