Aviation Minister Inspects Dublin Air School at 8th Africa-Ireland Trade Horizon Conference

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barr. Festus 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 Ahmed Tinubu.

On the sidelines of the conference, Keyamo 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 CEO of the institution, Mr. John Nugent.

During the tour, he 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.

He 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.