Nigeria and India are set to deepen bilateral cooperation in the aviation and aerospace sector, with both countries exploring opportunities in infrastructure development, capacity building and knowledge transfer.

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 paid a courtesy visit to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

A statement yesterday by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Tunde Moshood, said that the proposed partnership was expected to create opportunities for Nigerian aviation professionals to acquire skills and international exposure, while strengthening cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.

Speaking during the visit, Singh said Nigeria’s airports were performing well, adding that his visits to the country had reinforced his conviction that Nigeria and India had much to gain from closer collaboration in aviation.
According to him, there was tremendous potential for cooperation between the two countries, identifying at least six or seven areas where Nigeria and India could work together.

The Indian envoy also expressed his desire for Keyamo to visit India, stressing that India’s Minister for Civil Aviation, whom he described as a young and dynamic leader, would also be interested in visiting Nigeria.
On capacity building, Singh said India was prepared to deepen its existing programme in Nigeria, noting that more than 250 Nigerians benefited from the scheme yearly.

He added: “Nigeria is a great country and India has continued to hold the country in high regard. The Indian government will be pleased to receive the Nigerian aviation minister.”

In his response, Keyamo welcomed the proposals and said India’s experience in aviation, particularly in capacity building, offered valuable lessons for Nigeria as the Federal government implemented the Renewed Hope Agenda in the aviation and aerospace sector.

The minister said the government was committed to deepening bilateral ties with India in ways that would strengthen Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure while creating opportunities for Nigerian professionals to acquire the skills and exposure required to compete globally.

Besides, Keyamo identified training, capacity building and knowledge transfer as priority areas of the proposed partnership.

According to him, the collaboration should be structured to equip Nigerian engineers, pilots, air traffic controllers and other aviation professionals with the expertise required to drive the growth and development of the country’s aviation industry.

To advance the initiative, Keyamo directed the establishment of a technical team to work out the details and modalities of the proposed partnership between Nigeria and India.