ABUAD, United Nigeria Airlines sign MoU on students’ training
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United Nigeria Airlines (UNA), to provide structured industrial training for engineering students of the institution. Speaking at
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United Nigeria Airlines (UNA), to provide structured industrial training for engineering students of the institution.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Prof. Smaranda Olarinde said the partnership would bring the university and airline together to provide practical, hands-on and globally- competitive education.
She noted that under the agreement, about 20 final year students of ABUAD’s College of Engineering would annually undergo robust and hands-on training in aeronautical and aerospace engineering through the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme at the airline.
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Olarinde said the collaboration was designed to run for a renewable period of 10 years at no financial cost to the university and foster a long-term investment in human capital development, skills transfer and the grooming of a new generation of Nigerian aerospace professionals.
She added that the airline’s decision to begin flight operations into Ado-Ekiti in December 2025 had fulfilled an aged-long aspiration of the university’s founder, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), for air connectivity to the town, describing the development as a demonstration of faith in ABUAD students.
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The Chief Executive Officer of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, said the airline was honoured to partner ABUAD, stressing that merit, excellence and shared values informed the collaboration.
He noted that strong nations thrived on close ties between political leadership and intellectual institutions, advising Nigerian leaders to leverage universities for solutions to national challenges.
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Okonkwo said the airline regarded the partnership as part of its broader social responsibility and commitment to practical education that delivered value beyond certificates.
He added that graduates of ABUAD had continued to distinguish themselves, describing the university as an institution that had exceeded expectations.
Chief Babalola described education as the bedrock of national development and thanked United Nigeria Airlines for formalising the partnership with the university.
He said the MoU would contribute to manpower development in Nigeria’s aviation and engineering sectors and commended Okonkwo for his professional achievements and support for educational advancement.
