Ebonyi State has recorded another major milestone as the National Universities Commission (NUC) has officially approved the establishment of the Ebonyi State University of Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering in Ezza. This historic development makes it the 300th university in Nigeria and the third state-owned university in Ebonyi.
The landmark approval was announced during a formal licensing ceremony held in Abuja, where the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, handed over the operational license to the Ebonyi State Government.
Prof. Ribadu described the moment as a “historic milestone” and praised the vision of the state government under Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for investing in future-driven education.
“This is not just about adding numbers,” Ribadu said. “It’s about building a world-class institution that will push the boundaries of innovation, research, and industrial collaboration in the aerospace sector.”
The university is expected to focus on aeronautics, aerospace engineering, automotive technology, mechatronics, and over 25 related fields, preparing young Nigerians to lead in high-demand tech and aviation industries.
The NUC boss emphasized that the university must strictly adhere to national curriculum standards (CCMAS) and maintain academic excellence through partnerships with industry leaders.
He added that relevant agencies like JAMB, TETFund, NYSC, and the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) will be duly notified of the new university to enable smooth integration into national education frameworks.
Governor Nwifuru: “We Passed All the Tests”
Reacting to the approval, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Patricia Obila, said the license was a validation of the state’s strong commitment to quality education and capacity development.
“This certificate was not handed to us by luck,” she said. “We went through every requirement, and we passed. Now we are ready to train the next generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators from Ebonyi.”
Governor Nwifuru reiterated that education remains a top priority in his administration, referencing the ongoing People’s Charter of Needs programme, which has sponsored hundreds of Ebonyians both within Nigeria and abroad to acquire vocational and technical skills.
“We believe in education as a tool to reduce suffering and increase opportunities for our people. We will not just sustain this new university — we will make it a model for others across Nigeria,” he added.
The newly approved university becomes the third state university in Ebonyi, joining:
- Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki (established in 1999), and
- Ebonyi State University of ICT, Science and Technology.
With this approval, Ebonyi joins the league of states leading the charge for technological advancement in Nigeria, making the state a hub for aviation and aerospace training in Africa.
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