The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), is currently in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, where he is participating as a special guest at the 8th Africa–Ireland Trade Horizon Conference, a high-level platform focused on advancing strategic bilateral cooperation between African nations and Ireland.
In alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Keyamo’s visit underscores Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening global partnerships in aviation, infrastructure development, and human capital enhancement.
During his keynote address at the conference, the Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to modernize its aviation sector through innovation, strategic alliances, and adoption of global best practices.
As part of his working visit, Keyamo—accompanied by the Charge d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Ireland, Mrs. Ibiyemi Ajiboye-Roberts—conducted a technical inspection of Newcastle Aerodrome Aviation School in County Wicklow.
The Nigerian delegation was received by the school’s CEO, Mr. John Nugent, and taken on a tour of its facilities, including a fleet of Viper SD4 trainer aircraft, modern simulation laboratories, classrooms, and aircraft maintenance hangars.
Discussions during the visit focused on a potential collaboration between the Irish institution and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria. Proposed areas of partnership include the joint development of aviation training curricula, 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.
Commending the high standards of the Irish institution, Keyamo expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed that Nigeria is open to partnerships that will strengthen domestic capabilities, promote innovation, and enhance the nation’s aviation value chain.
According to the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, this engagement forms part of broader efforts to reposition Nigeria as a leading aviation hub in Africa through infrastructure upgrades, skills development, and robust international cooperation.
