A new chapter has begun for engineering students at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), following the signing of a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United Nigeria Airlines. The event, which drew leaders from both academia and industry, marks a shared commitment to nurturing practical skills that are essential for the future of aviation in Nigeria.
Unlike traditional academic programmes where students often spend most of their time in lecture halls, this partnership sets up a structured pathway for students to gain hands-on experience within the operations of a commercial airline. Through the airline’s Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), final-year engineering students will be integrated into the airline’s facility each year.
Under the terms agreed upon, around 20 final-year students from ABUAD’s College of Engineering will undergo industrial training annually. This engagement will last for a renewable period of ten years, a duration that reflects the long-term vision both institutions have for human capital development in Nigeria’s aviation landscape.
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Voices from ABUAD and United Nigeria Airlines Leadership
At the ceremony, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, Vice-Chancellor of ABUAD, highlighted the importance of experiential learning in preparing graduates for real-world challenges. Students will not only observe but be actively involved in technical operations, maintenance processes, and other vital functions within the airline environment.
Olarinde emphasised that this collaboration is more than an internship. It is a comprehensive industrial programme designed to supplement academic coursework with real experience that cannot be replicated in a classroom alone.
Echoing her sentiments, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of United Nigeria Airlines, described the partnership as recognition of ABUAD’s academic excellence and a shared mission to invest in the next generation of aerospace professionals. He pointed to the airline’s robust maintenance department as a rich learning environment for aspiring engineers, offering exposure to systems and processes that are often difficult to access in traditional university settings.
Okonkwo also highlighted that, beyond training students, the airline sees this partnership as an opportunity to explore further ways of supporting engineering education within the university.
A Growing Need for Practical Skills
Nigeria’s aviation industry has made strides over the last decade, with the growth of private operators enhancing connectivity across major cities. However, the sector continues to grapple with a shortage of technically skilled professionals, particularly in areas such as aeronautical and aerospace engineering. Experts say this skills gap hampers the ability of local talent to fully take part in core technical roles within the industry.
Partnerships like this one are seen as a progressive response to the longstanding challenge of linking higher-education curricula with real industry needs. Through immersive training, students will gain familiarity with real equipment, safety protocols, and operational workflows that are simply not available through academic simulations alone.
This experience will enhance students’ confidence and readiness for professional roles once they graduate, and also contribute to building a more capable workforce that can support Nigeria’s aviation ambitions.
Impact on Students and the Aviation Sector
Engineering students who take part in the programme can expect a transformational learning experience. They will work alongside seasoned professionals, observe aircraft maintenance practices up close, engage with aerospace systems, and understand what it means to function within a real aviation environment.
It is widely acknowledged that practical exposure such as this elevates a student’s value in the job market. Employers in both aviation and related engineering fields increasingly prioritise candidates with demonstrable hands-on experience. Initiatives like the ABUAD-United Nigeria Airlines partnership contribute to closing the gap between academic knowledge and workforce expectations.
The MoU also reinforces the role of private sector organisations in supporting education and workforce development. By fully funding the training programme, United Nigeria Airlines has shown that investing in education can yield long-term benefits for both industry and national development.
This collaboration complements other efforts across the continent aimed at strengthening aviation education through partnerships between airlines, universities, and specialised training institutions. For example, Ethiopian Airlines’ aviation university recently graduated hundreds of aviation professionals across multiple disciplines, demonstrating the impact of integrated training models on workforce readiness.
Looking Ahead
For ABUAD and its students, this partnership represents a competitive advantage. Graduates who complete the programme will leave university not only with a degree but also with real-world experience that puts them ahead in the job market. Their hands-on training positions them to contribute more effectively to the growth of Nigeria’s aerospace and engineering sectors.
As Nigeria continues to expand its aviation infrastructure and services, collaborations like this can serve as models for how academic institutions and industry players can work together for mutual benefit. Policymakers, educators, and business leaders alike are paying attention to initiatives that equip young professionals with practical skills directly aligned with industry needs.
In an era where innovation and technical competence are paramount, the ABUAD-United Nigeria Airlines partnership stands out as a strategic investment in human capital that will help shape the future of engineering and aviation in Nigeria.
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