As Aeroport College of Aviation and Travel Management (ACATM) marks its 10th anniversary, its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Oludayo Taiwo Gideon, reflects on a journey that began in one small room and now touches lives across Africa and beyond.
Describing the last ten years as a remarkable journey of faith, resilience, growth and impact, Gideon recalled that the College started in one small room with just 12 students at its first induction ceremony and graduated only 113 students at its maiden convocation.
Today, he said, the institution has certified over 7,000 aviation, travel and tourism professionals in the last decade. To God be the glory for how far He has brought us, he added.
For Gideon, the greatest achievement of ACATM is not just the number of professionals trained, but the lives transformed and the careers helped built.
He said he has personally encountered former Cabin Crew students working onboard commercial flights, and other graduates serving as Flight Dispatchers, Airport Ground Handlers, Protocol Officers, Customer Service Professionals and leaders in various travel organisations.
Across Nigeria’s travel industry, he noted, it is increasingly difficult to find a travel company without an Aeroport graduate, whether as an employee, manager or business owner. In fact, he said, the demand for graduates has sometimes exceeded the number of students available for job placements. That, he said, is impact.
One of his proudest moments, he revealed, is meeting former students who are now successful CEOs and entrepreneurs in different countries, including at prestigious international industry events such as Arabian Travel Market in Dubai and World Travel Market in London.
Those encounters, he said, remind him that what started in a small room has grown into a platform producing professionals and business leaders with global relevance.
Over the years, ACATM has welcomed students from across Nigeria and countries including Ghana, Benin Republic, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, The Gambia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Through a strategic partnership with a Cameroonian company, the College has also established a liaison presence in Cameroon, strengthening its regional reach. We are no longer just a Nigerian college, Gideon said. We are becoming a West African, and indeed global, institution.
On infrastructure and student welfare, Gideon said the College has continued to invest in its infrastructure and student experience. Its recently established Aeroport Student Residence, offering Standard and Deluxe accommodation, is another milestone in its commitment to providing a conducive learning environment. We want our students to learn in comfort, live in dignity, and focus fully on building their careers, he said.
As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, ACATM is awarding N10 million worth of scholarships to deserving students, reaffirming its commitment to making professional training and career opportunities more accessible. We were once small, Gideon explained. We know what it means for someone to be given an opportunity. This is our way of giving back and opening doors for the next generation.
Looking ahead to the next decade, Gideon said the vision is to position ACATM among Africa’s leading institutions for aviation, travel and tourism education.
He envisions greater geographical expansion, stronger international partnerships, enhanced training infrastructure, technology-driven learning and more opportunities for graduates to compete and lead globally.
Ultimately, he said, success will not be measured merely by the size of the institution, but by the number of lives transformed, careers established, businesses created and leaders raised through its platforms. Our first decade was about building a foundation and proving that the vision was possible, he said. The next decade will be about expanding that vision, deepening our impact and building a lasting legacy.
In closing, Gideon expressed gratitude to everyone who has been part of the Aeroport story – students, parents, staff, partners, and friends. To God be the glory, he said