AAAU Sends Four Academic Staff to China for PhD Studies Under Keyamo’s Human Capital Development Initiative
Oru Leonard
The African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Abuja, has recorded another milestone in its human capital development drive as four of its academic staff members depart for China to pursue doctoral degrees under an academic partnership with the Civil Aviation University of China (CAUC).
The four scholars were honoured at a send-off ceremony organised by the university on November 3, 2026, ahead of their departure for the PhD programme.
The sponsorship is jointly funded by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), reflecting the Federal Government’s commitment to building a highly skilled academic workforce for Nigeria’s aviation and aerospace industry.
The beneficiaries are Umar Dodoji Ibrahim, Rukkayat Abdulkarim, Boussa Samuel and Zaitun Bakabe Sanusi. They were presented at the ceremony by their respective Heads of Departments from Aviation Business, General Studies, and Basic Science.
The initiative is part of the human capital development agenda of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArB (UK), aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, promoting academic excellence and developing the specialised expertise required to advance Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of AAAU, Dr Mustapha Sheikh Abdullahi, expressed satisfaction that the initiative had progressed from its planning stages to actual implementation.
He congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to remain committed to their academic pursuits, uphold the values and standards of the university, and conduct themselves as worthy ambassadors of the institution and Nigeria.
Abdullahi also encouraged the scholars to maximise the opportunity by acquiring relevant knowledge and expertise that would contribute to the university’s growth and the development of the country’s aviation and aerospace industry upon their return.
In their goodwill messages, the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the university management, the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and TETFund for the opportunity to pursue advanced studies in China.
The Director of Academic Planning, Professor Yahaya Ibrahim Zayanna, also encouraged the scholars to remain focused and make the most of the academic exposure.
The ceremony ended with closing remarks by the Acting Registrar, Mr Dennis Joseph Onwukwe, followed by a group photograph with the university management and other participants.
