Cross River State To Train 100 Aviation Professionals As Commissioner Visits LAA
Cross River State Government in Nigeria plans to train 100 aviation professionals ahead of launching new aircraft operations.
The State Commissioner for Aviation, Capt. Imah Eno Utum disclosed this when he made a notable visit to Lagos Aviation Academy (LAA) this month as the training institution marked eight years of operations in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The Commissioner who toured the facility and discussed workforce development challenges facing the industry indicated a strong interest in partnering with LAA for this initiative. The visit comes at a significant time for Cross River State.
“Institutions like LAA are not just responding to the industry’s needs, they are shaping its future,” the Commissioner told journalists. “As we look to grow aviation across Nigeria, the importance of skilled talent and industry-aligned training like what LAA offers cannot be overstated.”
Since opening in 2017, LAA has trained over 3,000 professionals across multiple aviation disciplines, including cabin crew, flight dispatch, IATA travel and tourism, cargo handling, helicopter landing operations, and visa processing. The academy reports a job placement rate exceeding 60%, with graduates working at airlines, travel companies, and aviation service providers throughout Nigeria and West Africa.
The institution has garnered industry recognition through multiple IATA Best Performer Awards in 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2024, while maintaining its status as an IATA Authorized Training Centre.
“When we say we’re building professionals, we mean individuals equipped to meet global aviation standards,’’ explained Bolaji Durojaiye, Head of School at Lagos Aviation Academy. “We’ve built a system that fuses technical expertize with real-world readiness. That’s how we stay relevant.”
The Academy’s Lagos facility features smart classrooms and simulation tools, with curriculum designed to meet international benchmarks. This infrastructure supports LAA’s role in supplying certified professionals to various segments of Nigeria’s aviation value chain, from airlines and airports to tour operators and logistics providers.
As Nigeria’s aviation sector continues expanding, training institutions like LAA face increasing demand to produce qualified personnel capable of meeting both domestic needs and international standards. With more students from Nigeria and across West Africa seeking globally competitive aviation training, the academy’s eight-year track record positions it as both a beacon of excellence and a trusted launchpad for aviation careers across the region.
