Thursday September 3, 2026
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By Idorenyin UMOREN
Akwa Ibom Aviation Correspondents News Desk

The Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi, FUTIA, Professor Leo Daniel has pledged the commitment of the University to partner airlines operating in the country through the training of man-power needs in the aviation industry.

This was made known by the Information and Public Relations Directorate of FUTIA.

According to the Directorate, the FUTIA Vice Chancellor made the remarks on behalf of the University on Tuesday September 1, 2026 during the official reception and Water Canon Ceremonies for the Brand-New Airbus A220-300 Series Aircraft procured by the Akwa Ibom State Government for Ibom Air held at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

“As Ibom Air is expanding and increasing her fleets, routes and operations, the Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi, FUTIA, is strategically positioned and committed to training various categories of man-power needed to drive the aviation sector”, the FUTIA VC was quoted as saying.

“Our flagship degree programme in the University is Aerospace Engineering and we are positioned to playing critical role in the growth of the industry to exemplify Institutional-industry collaboration”, the VC added.

Professor Daniel who is the first Professor of Astronautical Engineering in Nigeria used the occasion to congratulate the Akwa Ibom government led by the Governor, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno and the management of Ibom Air for the huge investment in the aviation sector which has given Ibom Air a pride of place in the sub national and the nation at large with increasing international routes, service and value addition to stakeholders.

The University Don expressed the readiness of the Institution to partner Ibom Air and the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development (at the State and federal levels) to advance the frontiers of government’s vision in the sector.

The Vice Chancellor seized the opportunity to woo investors and stakeholders to partner the University in her ongoing efforts to establish an Aerodrome for the training, retraining, learning and research by the students of the flagship Aerospace Engineering in the University and other players in the sector with a view to growing indigenous man-power for the sector.