In a major step toward strengthening sustainable manpower development, the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) is seeking a strategic partnership with the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Abuja. This collaboration aims to drive comprehensive capacity growth across Nigeria’s aviation and tourism value chains, directly aligning with the Federal Government’s vision for an integrated travel and tourism economy.

The National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, highlighted the urgent need for collaboration during an official visit to the Acting Vice Chancellor of the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Dr. Mustapha Sheikh Abdullah, in Abuja. Chief Odusanwo noted that a close synergy between both institutions is imperative to bridge the widening skilled manpower gaps in the tourism and aviation industries.

Chief Odusanwo further stressed that the partnership seeks to leverage the complementary strengths of both institutions. He highlighted that ITPN is recognized by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) as Nigeria’s premier awarding body for travel and tourism, structured within the National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF) and National Occupational Standards (NOS). This established framework perfectly aligns with AAAU’s core mandate as a specialized institution dedicated to advanced aviation skills training and acquisition.

He emphasised that the initiative was a symbiotic relationship between aviation and tourism, explaining that tourism fueled the demand for air travel while aviation enabled seamless access to destinations. Moreover, the collaboration would address critical skill gaps by harmonizing training standards and fostering knowledge exchange, which would ultimately elevate service delivery, improve passenger experiences, and stimulate economic growth.

“This partnership represents a monumental step toward achieving the Federal Government’s vision for an integrated travel and tourism economy,” said Chief Odusanwo. “By combining ITPN’s expertise in

professional certification under the NSQF with AAAU’s mandate for specialized aviation education, we can establish credible training pathways.

This will create a robust pipeline of skilled professionals equipped to meet the dynamic demands of Nigeria’s expanding aviation and tourism markets.”

In his response, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Dr. Abdullah, noted that partnering with the Institute of Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) is highly timely, as the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU) is currently intensifying efforts to produce highly skilled manpower for the aviation sector. This collaboration aligns perfectly with the Presidential directive to position aviation and tourism as key drivers of national development under the Renewed Hope Agenda, while reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to professionalising the workforce and boosting both sectors’ contributions to the national GDP.

He added that this alignment follows directives from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, for the university to remain focused on its specialized mandate. Dr. Abdullah emphasized that ITPN’s established role as an awarding body—with approved National Occupational Standards (NOS) across 12 key areas like Airport, Passenger Service, and Travel Agency Operations—provides the perfect complementary framework for AAAU’s academic and professionaltraining programmes.

The Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) is Nigeria’s premier professional body responsible for certification, accreditation, and quality assurance across the travel, tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors. Recognized by both the NBTE and NABTEB under the National Skills Qualification Framework, it sets the standard for industry professionalization. In complement, the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Abuja, is a specialized institution established by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Its core mandate is to bridge Africa’s manpower gap in aviation and aerospace by delivering world-class education in aircraft engineering, aviation management, and aerospace engineering.

LEFT: Dr. Mustapha Sheikh Abdullah, Ag. VC – AAAU