Baze University, Abuja, is advancing plans to establish an aviation training facility at its Bwari campus as part of its efforts to expand specialised aviation education and contribute to the training of aviation professionals in Nigeria.

The project was initiated by the university’s Founder and Chancellor, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, and is being developed on approximately 88 hectares of land. The facility is planned to support pilot training alongside other areas of aviation education.

Among the infrastructure planned for the site are a dedicated runway, aircraft hangar, terminal building, flight operations and planning facilities, classrooms, briefing rooms, aviation laboratories, a library and simulation facilities, as well as other infrastructure needed for aviation training.

Baze University said the project is approaching completion, with arrangements also underway to begin flight training using two training aircraft.

The institution intends for the facility to integrate classroom-based academic instruction with simulation, flight operations and practical training.

According to the university, the development is being undertaken with relevant aviation regulatory requirements and professional training standards in consideration.

Under the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, organisations seeking approval to provide aviation training must satisfy prescribed requirements covering facilities, equipment, qualified personnel, training programmes, quality assurance, safety management, aircraft and operational procedures.

The approval process further requires the evaluation of relevant documentation, demonstration of operational capacity and inspections by the appropriate aviation regulatory authorities.

In February 2026, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, received a delegation from Baze University led by Senator Baba-Ahmed.

At the meeting, the university requested Federal Government assistance for the project, including support with relevant regulatory and administrative processes.

A major component of the proposed aviation school is its dedicated runway, which is intended to support flight training and other aviation-related programmes.

Baze University has stated that, once completed, the runway could be among the longest university-owned runways in Africa, although this would be subject to comparisons with similar facilities across the continent.

The aviation project comes as countries across Africa work to strengthen aviation capacity and expand the pool of trained professionals needed to support the sector’s growth.

Beyond flight training, the facility is expected to create opportunities for aviation-related training, research and professional development.

Baze University was established in 2011 and has subsequently expanded its academic programmes and physical infrastructure.

The proposed aviation school marks the university’s entry into specialised aviation education, bringing together university-level academic learning and practical flight training.

Once completed and operational, the facility is expected to create additional opportunities for aviation education and professional training in Nigeria, while potentially attracting students from other African countries.

Source: von.gov.ng