FOREIGN – The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN has proposed a collaboration between the Newcastle Aerodrome Aviation School, Wicklow County, Dublin and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) for a joint development of aviation training curricular tailored to modern global standards.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the minister on Media and Communications, Mr Tunde Moshood on Tuesday in Dublin.

According to the statement, Keyamo had also proposed the launch of a collaborative pilot licensing programme between Ireland and Nigeria and the development of ancillary skills in aircraft engineering and air traffic control to meet Nigeria’s growing aviation manpower needs.

Keyamo is currently in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, on a working visit where he is participating as one of the special guests at the 8th Africa-Ireland Trade Horizon Conference.

The annual event convenes leaders from Africa and Ireland to deepen bilateral ties and foster mutually beneficial trade and development partnerships.

In his scheduled address at the conference, Keyamo is expected to underscore Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening strategic international alliances in aviation, infrastructure development, and skills advancement, especially in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

On the sidelines of the conference, the minister, accompanied by the Charge D’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Ireland, Mrs. Ibiyemi Ajiboye-Roberts, undertook a technical visit to Newcastle Aerodrome Aviation School located in Wicklow County, Dublin.

The delegation was received by the Chief Executive Officer of the institution, Mr. John Nugent.

During the tour, the Keyamo visited the school’s impressive fleet of Viper SD4 trainer aircraft, simulation labs, classrooms, and maintenance hangars.

The minister expressed appreciation for the warm reception and commended the institution’s track record in aviation training.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to partnerships that will strengthen domestic capabilities and boost the local aviation value chain.

This visit further reflects the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to repositioning Nigeria as a hub for aviation excellence in Africa through innovation, international cooperation, and capacity development.