Baze University Acquires Two Aircraft for Aviation School

Baze University, Abuja, has taken a significant step towards establishing a full-fledged aviation school by acquiring two brand-new Diamond KMO 40 single-engine training aircraft from Austria. The aircraft, which arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Friday at 4:20 p.m. local time, represent a major milestone in the university’s plan to integrate practical flight training with academic programmes in aviation and aerospace engineering.

The Chancellor of Baze University, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, described the acquisition as a significant achievement not only for the institution but also for Nigeria’s aviation education sector. He said the aircraft would provide opportunities to train a new generation of Nigerian aviation professionals, adding that the initiative was part of the university’s broader commitment to national development through quality education.

According to Senator Baba-Ahmed, construction work on the aviation school’s infrastructure has reached approximately 50 per cent completion since the beginning of the year, despite disruptions caused by the rainy season. The university is developing an aerodrome measuring 1,800 metres in length and 30 metres in width, with an additional 50 metres of shoulder, in the Federal Capital Territory.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi, described the acquisition as a historic achievement that would distinguish Baze University within Nigeria’s and Africa’s higher education landscape. Adeniyi said the institution was positioning itself as the first privately owned university in Africa to establish an aviation school equipped with its own aircraft.

The Coordinator of the Baze Aviation School Project, retired Air Vice-Marshal Aliyu Bello, said the project was conceived by the Chancellor about four to five years ago, with the vision of establishing an institution that would combine academic instruction with practical flight training. The university had secured approximately 92 hectares of land at Gwari, on the outskirts of Abuja, for the development of the aviation facility.

The two KMO 40 single-engine aircraft are brand-new, with only about 40 to 50 flying hours, making them suitable for the university’s initial pilot-training programme. However, additional equipment, including a twin-engine aircraft and a flight simulator, would be required to support advanced training, instrument ratings and multi-engine operations.

The university has secured approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to run two aviation-related academic programmes: Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Management. The institution’s model would distinguish it from conventional classroom-based aviation education by combining theoretical knowledge with practical flight experience.

Key points

• Baze University acquires two Diamond KMO 40 single-engine training aircraft from Austria for its aviation school.
• The university plans to train at least 600 aviation professionals across various specialisations.
• The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s aviation education sector.