Keyamo Inspects Dublin Air School during 8th Africa-Ireland Trade Horizon Conference
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), undertook a technical visit to Newcastle Aerodrome Aviation School located in Wicklow County, Dublin, Ireland Republic in the quest of the Ministry’s stanch commitment to repositioning Nigeria as a hub for aviation excellence in Africa through innovation, international cooperation.
The Minister, who is in Dublin, Republic of Ireland 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, the Honourable Minister 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 Ahmed Tinubu, (GCFR).
Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, in a statement stated that, the Honourable Minister was accompanied by the Charge D’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Ireland, Mrs. Ibiyemi Ajiboye-Roberts, during the technical visit to the Aviation School.
He said the delegation was received by the CEO of the institution, Mr. John Nugent.
During the tour, the Minister inspected the school’s impressive fleet of Viper SD4 trainer aircraft, simulation labs, classrooms, and maintenance hangars. The discussions between the Nigerian delegation and the school’s management centred on fostering strategic collaboration between Newcastle Aerodrome and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria.
Other key areas of proposed partnership include joint development of aviation training curricula tailored to modern global standards, launching of a collaborative pilot licensing programme between Ireland and Nigeria, and development of ancillary skills in aircraft engineering and air traffic control to meet Nigeria’s growing aviation manpower needs.
The Minister expressed appreciation for the warm reception and commended the institution’s track record in aviation training.
He reiterated Nigeria’s openness to partnerships that will strengthen domestic capabilities and boost the local aviation value chain.