Get Guardian on GoogleAeroport College of Aviation and Travel Management (ACATM) has certified more than 7,000 aviation, travel and tourism professionals in the last 10 years, its Founder, Dr Oludayo Taiwo Gideon, has said.
The company also said that its ambition was to become one of Africa’s leading institutions for aviation, travel and tourism education.
Gideon disclosed this to journalists earlier in the week, during the celebration of the company’s 10th year anniversary.
Gideon, who is also the Aeroport’s Chief Executive Officer, said that the company had grown from a modest training centre with just 12 students to an institution with an expanding presence across Africa and beyond.
He recalled that the college started in a small room and graduated only 113 students at its maiden convocation, but had since grown into a training institution that produces professionals for various segments of the aviation and travel industries.
According to him, the institution’s greatest achievement went beyond the number of graduates to the careers and businesses its training programmes have helped establish.
He said former students were now working as cabin crew members, flight dispatchers, airport ground handlers, protocol officers and customer service professionals, while others occupied management positions and operated businesses in the travel industry.
He added: “Aeroport graduates have become increasingly visible across Nigeria’s travel companies, with some organisations seeking more graduates than the college can immediately provide for employment placements.
“The emergence of former students as chief executive officers and entrepreneurs in different countries is one of the most rewarding aspects of Aeroport’s 10-year journey.
“His encounters with such graduates at international industry gatherings, including the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai and the World Travel Market in London, have reinforced my belief in the institution’s growing global relevance.”
Gideon added that ACATM had attracted students from different parts of Nigeria and countries such as Ghana, Benin Republic, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, The Gambia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
He also disclosed that the college had strengthened its regional presence through a strategic partnership with a Cameroonian company, which facilitated the establishment of a liaison presence in the Central African country.
On infrastructure development, Gideon said the institution had continued to invest in facilities and student welfare, including the establishment of the Aeroport Student Residence, which offers standard and deluxe accommodation.
According to him, the initiative was designed to provide students with a comfortable living environment and enable them to concentrate on their professional training.
As part of activities marking the anniversary, the college is awarding scholarships worth N10 million to deserving students to improve access to professional aviation, travel and tourism education.
Gideon stated the scholarship initiative indicated the institution’s commitment to creating opportunities for young people, particularly those who might otherwise struggle to access specialised training.
On its future plans, he said the college’s ambition was to become one of Africa’s leading institutions for aviation, travel and tourism education through geographical expansion, stronger international partnerships, improved training facilities and technology-driven learning.
He said the next decade would focus on expanding the institution’s reach and strengthening its capacity to produce professionals capable of competing in the global aviation and tourism markets.
