A bill to establish Aerospace and Aeronautics University in Oka Akoko, Ondo State, passed second reading on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday.

The sponsor, Senator Ajayi Borrofice, said the field of Aerospace relates with science and technology associated with aircraft, missiles, satellites and spacecraft.

Borrofice explained that in pursuance of the nation’s National Space Programme, over 200 Nigerians were trained in Aerospace and Aeronautics Science Technology in the United States, Ukraine, Russia and Britain.

READ ALSO EKWEREMADU RECEIVES AWARD OVER EXCELLENT REPRESENTATION

Boroffice, who is the Senate Deputy Majority Leader, added that in order to sustain the space programme, the proposed university would provide endogenous facility for capacity-building in Aerospace Science and Technology, and Aeronautics.

He said, “In Africa, there are few institutions offering Aerospace-related engineering programmes and there is no dedicated university of Aerospace and Aeronautics in Nigeria.

“Therefore, the bill seeks to transform aerospace industry and such transformation can only succeed through the establishment of a university that will lead training and research programmes and also ensure local availability of skilled workforce in Nigeria.”