Minna, Niger State (Nigeria): Governor Mohammed Bago has pledged ₦5 billion to revive the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) mini campus at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna.
The funds will support the construction of classrooms and hostels, aimed at reducing the cost of sending students abroad for aviation studies.
This is contained in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Bologi Ibrahim, on Monday in Minna.
Ibrahim quoted his principal, Gov. Mohammed Bago, as saying this when he received the management of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria, on a visit to the International Airport in Minna.
The governor stated that the project, when completed, would cut down travel expenses incurred in sending children abroad to study aviation-related courses.
Bago appreciated the team for the visit, saying his administration remained desirous to make the BATIAM a hub in aviation and agriculture.
Earlier, the Rector of NCAT, Dr Danjuma Ismail, commended the governor for remodelling BATIAM to a global standard.
He said NCAT had a long-standing relationship with the Niger Government, which resulted in having a mini campus at the airport as well as running some programmes.
Ismail added that reviving the campus would undoubtedly strengthen the partnership with the state government, having a significant impact on personnel training and expertise in the agro-aviation business.
He noted that the college, established in 1964, had since expanded to include six schools: Flight, Air Traffic Controllers, Aeronautical Telecommunications Engineering, Airport Emergency and Training, and the Aircraft Aviation Management School.
The CPS said the visitors conducted a round of the airport to inspect the aviation fuel depot and the housing unit along the airport.
He said: “The governor said the housing unit will be demolished to pave the way for a more enhanced housing unit to address the housing deficit.”
