President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to decentralize the Nigerian College of Aviation has been met with positive reactions from key industry stakeholders. One of the notable voices in support of this policy is Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, the CEO of AGIL Travels & Tourism, who believes that the move will transform the country’s aviation sector by increasing access to quality training across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.
The decentralization aims to establish six aviation campuses nationwide, a plan that Mr. Gbeleyi described as both progressive and timely. He noted that the decision would provide more Nigerians with opportunities to acquire professional aviation skills without the need to relocate to Lagos, which currently hosts the country’s main aviation training institution.
“Spreading aviation schools across different regions will make aviation education more accessible,” Mr. Gbeleyi said. He pointed out that many aspiring aviation professionals are often deterred by the high cost of relocating to Lagos, a factor that has limited the number of trained personnel in the industry. By bringing aviation training closer to different regions, the government is promoting inclusivity and capacity building in the sector.
When asked about the effectiveness of the plan, Mr. Gbeleyi emphasized the importance of appointing the right leadership to manage the campuses. He advised that individuals with relevant industry experience should be prioritized for key roles to ensure the success of the initiative. According to him, placing unqualified individuals in such positions could undermine the goals of the decentralization policy.
Mr. Gbeleyi also expressed his satisfaction with the choice of Akure, Ondo State, as one of the campuses. While acknowledging that Lagos remains the country’s aviation hub, he commended the government for taking development to other regions. He stressed that spreading aviation infrastructure to areas outside of Lagos would help promote regional growth and reduce the concentration of opportunities in one city.
Concluding his thoughts, Mr. Gbeleyi highlighted the long-term benefits of this policy. He believes that the decentralization of aviation training will strengthen Nigeria’s aviation sector and prepare the country to compete on a global scale. However, he reiterated that the government must ensure that the right people are placed in leadership roles to achieve these goals.
Overall, President Tinubu’s policy has been welcomed by industry leaders as a step in the right direction for Nigeria’s aviation development.