Indian envoy proposes wider cooperation in aviation, while Keyamo identifies training, knowledge transfer and professional development as key areas……
Nigeria and India are exploring fresh areas of cooperation in the aviation sector, with the two countries considering expanded opportunities for training, technical knowledge transfer and professional development.
The development followed a meeting between the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, who visited the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Singh said his visits to Nigerian airports had strengthened his belief that both countries could benefit significantly from closer collaboration in aviation.
According to a statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the envoy identified several areas with potential for cooperation, saying he had identified at least six or seven areas where Nigeria and India could work together.
The High Commissioner also proposed reciprocal visits between aviation officials from both countries.
He invited Keyamo to India and said the Indian Minister for Civil Aviation, whom he described as young and dynamic, would also be interested in visiting Nigeria.
Capacity development featured prominently in the discussions, with Singh expressing India’s readiness to expand its existing training programme in Nigeria.
He disclosed that more than 250 Nigerians currently benefit from the programme annually, indicating that the initiative could form part of a broader framework for aviation cooperation.
Singh described Nigeria as a country India holds in high regard and said his government would be pleased to host the Nigerian aviation minister.
Responding, Keyamo welcomed the proposals and said Nigeria could draw useful lessons from India’s experience, particularly in developing human capacity within the aviation industry.
The minister said the proposed partnership aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the aviation and aerospace sector, stressing the importance of building stronger bilateral relationships that can produce practical benefits for Nigeria.
Keyamo identified training, capacity building and knowledge transfer as areas requiring particular attention.
He said any expanded cooperation with India should provide Nigerian aviation professionals, including engineers, pilots and air traffic controllers, with opportunities to acquire specialised expertise and international exposure.
The minister further emphasised that strengthening the skills of local professionals would be critical to sustaining growth and improving the competitiveness of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
As part of efforts to move the proposal forward, Keyamo has directed the establishment of a technical team to examine the areas of cooperation and develop the framework for the proposed Nigeria-India aviation partnership.
The team is expected to work out the details of the collaboration and identify specific areas where both countries can begin implementing joint initiatives.
