C’ River declares commitment to partner Lagos Aviation Academy on training personnel

Ahead of its much-anticipated launching of new aircraft operations, Cross River State government has pledged to partner with Lagos Aviation Academy (LAA) on deepening its training programmes for aviation personnel. This is as the government commended the management of the academy on its eighth anniversary, as one of the leading private-owned aviation schools in the country.

The partnership commitment was made known by the Cross River State Commissioner for Aviation, Captain Imah Eno Utum, during a visit to the Lagos-based aviation academy, where he held a crucial meeting with the management of the school led by its Founder, Bankole Bernard, after a tour of its facilities.

The visit comes at a significant time for Cross River State, which plans to train 100 aviation professionals ahead of the planned launching of new aircraft operations. During the facility tour, Utum indicated a strong interest in partnering with LAA for this initiative.

“Institutions like LAA are not just responding to the industry’s needs, they are shaping its future,” the Commissioner told journalists. “As we look to grow aviation across Nigeria, the importance of skilled talent and industry-aligned training like what LAA offers cannot be overstated.”

Since opening in 2017, LAA has trained over 3,000 professionals across multiple aviation disciplines, including cabin crew, flight dispatch, IATA travel and tourism, cargo handling, helicopter landing operations, and visa processing. The academy reports a job placement rate exceeding 60%, with graduates working at airlines, travel companies, and aviation service providers throughout Nigeria and West Africa.

The institution has garnered industry recognition through multiple IATA Best Performer Awards in 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2024, while maintaining its status as an IATA Authorised Training Centre.

“When we say we’re building professionals, we mean individuals equipped to meet global aviation standards,’’ disclosed Bolaji Durojaiye, Head of School at Lagos Aviation Academy. “We’ve built a system that fuses technical expertise with real-world readiness that’s how we stay relevant.”

The Academy’s Lagos facility features smart classrooms and simulation tools, with curriculum designed to meet international benchmarks. This infrastructure supports LAA’s role in supplying certified professionals to various segments of Nigeria’s aviation value chain, from airlines and airports to tour operators and logistics providers.

As Nigeria’s aviation sector continues expanding, training institutions like LAA face increasing demand to produce qualified personnel capable of meeting both domestic needs and international standards.

With more students from Nigeria and across West Africa seeking globally competitive aviation training, the Academy’s eight-year track record positions it as both a beacon of excellence and a trusted launchpad for aviation careers across the region.