Kwara expresses relief after training aircraft makes emergency landingp
Kwara State
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Kwara State Government has conveyed significant relief following the emergency landing of a training aircraft belonging to the International Aviation College in Ilorin on Friday, May 23, 2025.
In a statement on Saturday, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, provided this information.
The training aircraft had to make an emergency landing, resulting in a non-fatal incident for both the pilot and the instructor.
According to a statement from the press secretary of the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Omotayo Ayanda, the commissioner mentioned that both individuals involved in the accident were promptly transported to a hospital in Ilorin, where they are currently receiving medical care.
Modibbo-Kawu also commended the swift and professional response of the college authorities and medical personnel, underlining the importance of emergency preparedness and strict adherence to safety protocols in aviation training institutions.
She also assured the public that a full investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident and to implement measures that will help prevent future occurrences.
The statement reads partly, “The Kwara State Government remains committed to the safety and well-being of all residents and will continue to support initiatives aimed at improving safety standards across all sectors.
“The Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, extends his thoughts and best wishes to the affected individuals for a speedy recovery.”
Meanwhile, the Rector of the College, Captain Yakubu Okatahi, has provided additional details about the incident
He said, “Our instructor was on a routine training flight when, unfortunately, the aircraft had an accident during landing. We thank God that there were no fatalities.
Both the pilot and instructor were promptly evacuated to the hospital last night.”
“This morning, they underwent CT scans and MRIs and have been confirmed to be in stable condition. We are grateful that no lives were lost, although the aircraft was damaged.
“The National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has visited, conducted their investigation, and has departed.
“Engineers from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) are also on the ground, and after thorough checks, they confirmed that the situation is under control. The investigation is complete, and we are currently awaiting the official report,” said Okatahi.
