About the Department
1. Our Vision
A world-class programme for teaching and research in aerospace science and engineering, whose students are trained to be outstanding using state-of-the-art techniques directed towards creativity and entrepreneurial development.
2. Mission Statement
To disseminate knowledge of the latest theoretical and practical engineering principles, provide students with a sound foundation in the mathematical, scientific and engineering fundamentals necessary to formulate, solve and analyze aerospace problems; train professional in the development and maintenance of aero vehicles and related systems; promote and encourage creativity; and strong leadership qualities.
3. Objectives
The objectives of the programme are:
- To produce graduates who will be creative, ethical and active participants in building a knowledge-driven economy;
- To develop students’ ability to synthesize data and technical concepts for application to aerospace product design;
- To achieve outstanding, revolutionary and cutting-edge engineering solutions, novelties and innovations in the aerospace industry;
- To create an intellectually-challenging and engaging learning environment that prepares students for the stringency and sophistication of the aerospace industry; and
- To produce graduates who are competent, resourceful, seasoned and primed for leadership and excellence.
4. Rationale/Justification
As the population of Nigeria continues to increase, transportation by road, rail, sea, and air becomes increasingly important for the movement of people from place to place for business and other purposes. There are many road networks in Nigeria. However, the rail network is restricted to specific routes (Lagos-Ibadan-Kaduna, Kano-Port-Harcourt; lately, Kaduna – Abuja). Indeed, for years now, the rail has been of no use until about two years ago. The Sea route, on the other hand, is of limited application to the population’s movement and business use. Hence, travelling in the country has concentrated on road and air services.
However, many Nigerian roads have failed and fallen into a deplorable state of disrepair. Thus, for quick business that needs shuttling between major cities, business people and those who can afford it have opted for air travel. For this reason, air travel has continued to expand. In response to the growth of her wealth of human and other untapped natural resources, the Nigerian nation is fast becoming a key player in the global Aviation Industry. The technologies at our airports and geo-informatics are currently state-of-the-art. Indeed, the country is in short supply of skilled Engineers for design, maintenance and handling of other engineering requirements of aircraft available in the country and the general management of air transport to guarantee safety. Required routine maintenance that runs into trillions of Naira every year has to be done overseas.
Further, the Aerospace industry is an important sector in a world of rapid economic growth, transportation and infrastructure development. This is a place where goods, services and people are needed to meet deadlines in the distribution and delivery of such goods and services around the globe. The available opportunities are promising for national economic growth and development in the face of stringent regulations enforcing innovations, competition and safety. The Aerospace Engineer is key to the design and operation of aircraft to transport these goods, people and services around the globe to those places that require them in a most effective, safe and timely manner. He is responsible for the planning and supervision of the design, development, manufacture, modification and maintenance of all types of flight vehicles.
To meet up with present-day challenges occasioned by the global and local expansion in transportation by air, Nigeria needs to start producing competent, highly skilled personnel to service the aviation industry and ensure air transport safety. It is not out of place also to say that the Nigerian Air Force should begin to work towards building its own planes and drones for security and surveillance purposes, if not for major wars.
Currently, Kwara State University (KWASU), Lagos State University (LASU), Afe Babalola University and the Air Force Institute of Technology run the Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering degree programme in Nigeria. The few experts found in the Nigerian aviation industry today are mostly trained overseas. With regard to the huge potential that is available in terms of facilities and resources, it is incumbent on more Nigerian Universities, in response to the ideals of manpower development and the pursuit of the local content policy, to establish world-class Aerospace Engineering degree programmes. It is on this premise that the establishment of the B.Sc.(Hons) Aerospace Engineering degree programme in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, being one of the most prestigious Universities in Nigeria that others are looking up to, is being proposed.
5. Admission Requirements
(i) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)
Prospective students are required to have credits in five subjects at the Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSSC) or National Examination Council (NECO) or West African School Certificate (WASC) level (or at GCE ‘O’ level including English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Further Mathematics (Pure and Applied Mathematics) at two sittings. Candidates are also required to meet the stipulated UTME/Post-UTME cut-off points for the programme.
(ii) Direct Entry
Candidates who are holders of National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in appropriate Engineering Disciplines at a minimum of lower credit level are eligible for consideration for admission into 200 and 300 levels respectively. A prospective candidate must also satisfy the ‘O’ level UTME admission requirements.
6. Duration of Programme
The duration of the Bachelor’s Degree (B.Sc.) Aerospace Engineering shall be a minimum of 10 Semesters for UTME candidates and a minimum of 8 Semesters for Direct Entry candidates