Nigeria and India are exploring expanded aviation training opportunities for Nigerian professionals, with more than 250 Nigerians already benefiting annually from an existing Indian capacity-building programme.
The proposal emerged during a meeting between the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to a statement by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the proposed partnership will focus on training, knowledge transfer, infrastructure development and professional development in the aviation and aerospace industry.
Singh said India was ready to strengthen its existing capacity-building programme for Nigerians, adding that both countries had several areas of mutual interest in which they could collaborate.
“Nigeria is a great country and India has continued to hold the country in high regard. The Indian government will be pleased to receive the Nigerian aviation minister,” the envoy said.
He also expressed interest in hosting Keyamo in India and said the country’s Minister of Civil Aviation would be interested in visiting Nigeria.
Singh described Nigeria’s airports as performing well and said closer cooperation could help both countries maximise opportunities in the aviation sector.
Responding, Keyamo said India’s experience in aviation development and professional training could provide useful lessons as Nigeria implements its aviation and aerospace development agenda under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the Federal Government was committed to expanding cooperation with India to strengthen aviation infrastructure and equip Nigerian professionals with skills and international exposure.
The minister identified engineers, pilots, air traffic controllers and other aviation personnel as key beneficiaries of the proposed collaboration.
He said the partnership should be designed to transfer technical expertise and improve the capacity of local professionals to support the growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
To move the proposal forward, Keyamo directed the establishment of a technical team to work out the details and implementation arrangements for the partnership.
The initiative is expected to deepen bilateral relations while creating opportunities for training and knowledge exchange between the two countries.
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