The International Aviation College situated in Ilorin will be the second flight training school in Nigeria. Scheduled to be commissioned on October 1, it has been etablished to address the huge national and international gap in the training of aviation personnel. It is the brainchild of Dr. Bukola Saraki, the Executive Governor of Kwara State.The stated mission of the college is to produce superior pilots and aviation professionals with a focus on safety, quality, and responsibility.No expenses are being spared in ensuring that the college has state-of-the-art training facilities and the services of qualified and experienced aviation professionals.The college aims to be the best aviation school in the region.



Dr. Bukola Saraki: He is the Executive Governor of Kwara State,and the driving force behind the International Aviation College.

Captain Ken Hawkins: He is the rector of the college. He is a retired international airline pilot with over 50 years of aviation experience.He has 25 years of experience flying the Boeing 747 on several international routes.He has founded and managed two different flight schools.He enjoys rebuilding and flying antique military aircraft.

Alh Tunde Yusuf: He is the chairman of the college board.He attended the University of Wales (Swansea), from where he graduated with a First Class degree in Electrical Engineering. He also holds a Masters Degree in Computer Communications from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver (Canada).He was a co-founder Joint Komputer Kompany (JKK).He is the Chairman of Bellview Airlines.

Ms. Christian Oriola: She is the deputy rector of the college. She has had more than 15 years of management experience, and has worked with several Fortune 500 companies, including PepsiCo and Thompson Financial. Her experience includes sales and marketing, organizational development, and capital formation. She holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science, as well as MBAs with a concentration in Finance and Management.

Mr. Anders Nielsen: He is the Director of Maintenace of the college. He is a qualified Aircraft Engineer, with over 45 years of aviation experience.He was trained in the Royal Danish Airforce as an aircraft engineer and an ATC controller. He has owned his own aircraft maintenace facility, and worked as a as a contract engineer in several relief organisations.

Captain Adamu Mshelia: He is the Director of Training, Safety and Quality of the college. He is a product of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria. He worked with the defunct Nigeria Airways, first as a flight engineer, then as a pilot. He joined the Ministry of Aviation in 1989, and retired in 2009, having risen to the position of General Manager and Acting Director for licensing.

Captain Tunde Oluwadare: He is the Chief Flight Instructor. He started his career in the aviation industry with the Nigerian Airforce. He is a graduate of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and he has over thirty years experience with various aircraft.

Mr. Rasheed Aiyelabegan: He is the Assistant Registrar of the college. He is an experienced administrator with over 10 years experience in the public and private sector. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)., as well as a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Ilorin.

Construction Progress and Fleet
Work is presently at an advanced stage at the college site. Indianapolis-based design firm A2SO4, in conjunction with ECAD Architects, Ltd., designed the master plan for the 20 hectare site located near the Ilorin International Airport. The fleet of planes, which the college will be using for flight training will be supplied by Diamond Aircraft Industries - an Austrian-based manufacturer of general aviation aircraft and motor gliders. The Diamond DA40 is a four-seat, single engined, light aircraft constructed from composite materials. The Diamond DA42 Twin Star is a four seat, twin engine, propeller-driven airplane.


3D rendering and actual image of of the the college headquarters


3D rendering and actual image of of the the student hostel


Views of the Diamond DA40 and Diamond DA42 training planes