The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has taken its aviation advocacy directly to classrooms, launching a schools outreach programme designed to inspire the next generation of professionals while addressing the sector’s persistent gender gap.
The initiative, led by the General Manager, Training and Human Resource Development, Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinlade,
is part of FAAN’s broader strategy to build a sustainable talent pipeline by engaging students early before they make critical career and university choices.
Aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) framework, the programme responds to growing concerns over the shortage of skilled personnel in key aviation fields such as piloting, aeronautical engineering, aviation security, and firefighting.
Akinlade said the outreach is also tackling long-standing perceptions that have limited participation, especially among young women.
“We are bringing awareness to the younger generation to let them know that aviation is a very interesting place to work”, she said, noting that gender imbalance remains evident in professions like piloting, engineering, and fire services.
To broaden interest, the programme goes beyond traditional aviation roles, introducing students to career paths in aviation medicine, aviation law, and other related disciplines that support the industry.
The maiden edition of the outreach featured interactive sessions with industry professionals, including female pilots, doctors, and experts from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, offering students firsthand insight into the realities and opportunities within the sector.
Students from institutions such as Chrisland Schools participated in the programme, which also exposed them to emerging aviation technologies. Through collaboration with Caverton Offshore Support Group, participants were introduced to the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in logistics and other applications.
Akinlade emphasised that the initiative reinforces the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), helping students connect classroom learning with real-world aviation careers.
“The programme was rich, and the students were quite excited and educated. But sustainability is everything. We intend to sustain this and expand it to include more schools later in the year”, she said.
Also speaking, FAAN’s Director of Special Duties, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, encouraged students to consider careers in aviation, stressing that the NGAP initiative is specifically designed to attract young people into the industry.
She commended the FAAN training school for hosting the programme and creating a platform that connects students with professionals.
By reaching students early and reshaping perceptions about aviation careers, FAAN is positioning its schools outreach as a strategic tool to close both the talent gap and gender imbalance in the industry.