United Nigeria Airlines Partners with Afe Babalola University on Engineering Training

United Nigeria Airlines and Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), have entered into a ten-year partnership to provide industrial training for engineering students.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed on Saturday in Ado Ekiti, about 20 final-year engineering students from the university will be enrolled annually in the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme at the airline’s facilities.

The Vice-Chancellor of ABUAD, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, described the initiative as a “robust, hands-on and industry-driven training programme” in aeronautical and aerospace engineering. She noted the partnership requires no financial commitment from the university and is renewable after ten years, calling it a long-term investment in human capital development.

The founder of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, stated the collaboration recognizes ABUAD’s reputation for quality and excellence. He expressed appreciation for the support of the university’s Chancellor, Aare Afe Babalola, toward the development of the Ekiti Agro-Allied Cargo International Airport.

Okonkwo added that the airline will open its maintenance facilities to students, offering practical experience. He mentioned that United Nigeria Airlines operates one of the most robust maintenance departments in the industry and plans to establish its own maintenance center.

In his remarks, Chancellor Afe Babalola commended the partnership, emphasizing that education remains the surest solution to national challenges. He described the MoU as a significant contribution to manpower development in Nigeria’s aviation and engineering sectors.