Minister Seeks Quality Training To Bridge Skills Gap

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has said the provision of quality Aviation training is critical to the development of a sustainable, and safe air transport industry in Africa.

Keyamo made the statement at the 29th Africa Aviation Training Organisation AATO Council meeting and 10th year anniversary of the organisation held in Abuja the nation’s capital.

The Aviation minister represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Emmanuel Meribole said there is the need to plan, cordinate and oversee all complex operations in various aviation infrastructure as the region faces shortage in critical skills in key areas of civil aviation.

“Aviation is a sector of strategic importance that supports a broad set of economic and social development.”

The President, Africa Aviation Training Organisation AATO, Tendani Ndou called on African nations to focus on the development of skills and capacity to bring the expected changes in the aviation industry.

It’s necessary to join forces  together in ensuring that the African Aviation Training Organisation is improving the levels of aviation safety in Africa.

While reacting, the Secretary General,  African Civil Aviation Commission AFCAC  Adefunke Adeyemi represented by the Director, Safety and Technical Service, Henry Okech emphasised on the need for training and empowerment of women and young aviation experts in Africa for the development and sustainability of the sector.

Similarly, the Regional Director for the Eastern and Southern African Office at the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Lucy Mbugua highlighted some of the challenges aviation training in Africa is experiencing.

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“Africa With its vast and diverse landscapes,  faces unique challenges in establishing adequate and sustainable aviation training infrastructure.

“Insufficient funding,  outdated facilities,  and a scarcity of qualified instructors also pose formidable challenges, limited access to cutting-edge technologies training facilities and equipment further compounds the challenges, hindering the development of a skilled workforce capable of navigating  the complexities of modern aviation,” Lucy added

The African Aviation Training Organisation AATO was established in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital in 2023 at a constitutive Assembly hosted by the Nigerian Collage of Aviation Technology Zaria, Kaduna State North West Nigeria.

 The goal was to promote and harmonise aviation training in Africa and encourage the sharing of expertise among its members and other Aviation organisations within the African continent.