KWASU Student Makes History with First Solo Flight
Teslimat Abiola Nurudeen, a final-year student of the Department of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering of Kwara State University has made history by becoming the first undergraduate from the institution to complete a solo flight at the Ilorin International Airport.
The historic moment occurred on April 20, 2026, when the young aviator successfully piloted an aircraft alone in a 24-minute circuit flight around the airport after months of rigorous training, including ground school, simulator sessions and supervised flights.
Receiving her in his office, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, described the achievement as exceptional and praised Teslimat for combining academic work with intensive pilot training. He added that her success would inspire more students, especially young women, to pursue careers in engineering and aviation.
The Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Professor Abdulraheem Toyin Abdulbaqi, and the Head of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Department, Dr. Taofiq Omoniyi Amoloye also commended the student, describing the feat as a record-breaking milestone for the university.
Present during the reception were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Moshood Mahmud Jimba; the University Bursar, Mallam Muhammad Abubakar; and the student’s father and Deputy Director, Work, Engineer Idris Nurudeen.