Nigeria's aviation ministry is planning to equip the International Aviation College in Ilorin with 15 new aircraft before April as part of ongoing plans to improve training and safety in the sector.

Following the recent series of air accidents in the country, the government is keen to improve aviation training for pilots and other staff. This will entail the equipping and increased funding of Nigeria's aviation colleges such as those in Ilorin and Zaria that produce most of the country's pilots.

Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, said the additional aircrafts would boost the training and operations of the institution and assist it in achieving economies of scale. He described the college as a strategic training institution, which would reduce the shortage of aviation personnel in the country as well as make the state a hub of aviation training activities across Africa.

Governor Ahmed added: "Our students are already flying and our college is one of the very few such institutions in Africa today. Our people may not feel the direct impact but it is just starting and we will begin to feel the impact of this school in terms of economic impact when we attain economies of scale.

"This can be attained when we add additional aircraft and I am happy to let you know that the vice-president is willing to support the Kwara State government. By the grace of God, within the next two or three months, we will be getting additional 10 to 15 aircraft."

Rasheed Aiyelabegan, the registrar of the college, said the school already has four Diamond aircrafts. These are made up of two DA40 and two DA42 planes.