By Dela Ahiawor (delaahiawor@delreport.com)
It’s hard to grasp how a master wordsmith is also able to innovate future-proof solutions in the realm of aerospace engineering.
Now, that’s a feat for a genius and one name that springs to mind is Clinton Ikechukwu, a young Nigerian literary genius, engineer and Erasmus Mundus Master’s student.
Tipped as the next Chinua Achebe (renowned Nigerian novelist) by followers captivated by his storytelling prowess on social media (Facebook); Clinton is also showcasing a trajectory towards excellence in the aerospace industry.
Representing Team Aeromorph: Clinton Ikechukwu together with Oghosa Abu, young lady from (Nigeria) and Muhammad Junaid Ali from (Pakistan), all currently enrolled at the Technical University of Chemnitz (TUC) in Germany have qualified for the finals of the Airbus Fly Your Ideas 2025 Competition.
In all, three teams: Team Aeromorph (Germany), Team SkyOptima (Singapore) and Team Atlas Trio USM (Malaysia) are headed to Paris, France for the finals slated for June 20, 2025 coinciding with Paris Airshow 2025. Airbus is covering all travel expenses. From the three teams, just one will be awarded
the coveted prize – a fast-track interview for the Airbus Global Graduate Programme (AGGP) 2026.
Fly Your Ideas 2025 Competition is sponsored by Airbus- the largest aerospace company in Europe. The competition encourages students across the globe to innovate for the future of aerospace by addressing global challenges to create a safer, cleaner and a more interconnected world.
In an interview with Clinton Ikechukwu, leader of Team Aeromorph before he walks the path towards the ultimate prize, he effused: “The Airbus competition and journey have been nothing short of a revelation. I mean, I was struck by lots of fascinating ideas and thought processes. I think something that worked for us was the quality of our idea and how we were able to pitch persuasively. Our idea hinged on Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence, to us, is like the first light at dawn, a thing full of promise.”
Concerning the motivation behind the decision to put their inventive solutions into practice…..Clinton provided some perspective: “Coming from a multidisciplinary background, we were able to shape a detailed solution. In aviation, where so many lives depend on a thousand small decisions, we sensed the gaps where care and precision falter. And so, as engineers and mathematicians driven by the simple desire to leave the world better than we found it, we gathered as Team Aeromorph. The idea is to turn that promise of AI into the reassurance every pilot, every family, deserves.”
He went on saying: “For the finals in Paris, I have missed that city, and it will feel like a homecoming. As a team, we share a close-knit relationship. We are excited, and we want to enjoy the show and express ourselves freely at the Paris International Airshow.” No wonder, ” Paris stays with you,” as the saying goes.
Ultimately, taking pride in the partnership with Oghosa (also from Nigeria), Clinton couldn’t help expressing strong national pride: “As Nigerians, we carry in our veins, super dreams. We are dreamers, pursuers, and walkers on water. We look forward to Paris and envisage a good time with other finalists.” And the genius couldn’t have said it better. The spirit of ingenuity is abundant in Africa….dream on rising stars of Africa!
Team Aeromorph of the Technical University of Chemnitz (TUC) in Germany made it to the finals in France from over 300 university teams across the globe. On April 30, 2025 Team Aeromorph’s AI‐powered emergency-landing assistant, EVA_LAND, earned the team a place in the finals. During the semi-finals on May 15, 2025 Team Aeromorph presented live in a digital event. Next, Team Aeromorph will represent (TUC) in Paris, France where they will compete against: Team SkyOptima (Singapore) and Team Atlas Trio USM (Malaysia).
The Airbus Fly Your Ideas 2025 Competition is structured in three distinct phases designed to test the skill and knowledge of participants:
Phase 1: Submission of a 30-second video pitch and Power Point proposal. A total of 366 teams applied, representing 49 countries and 229 universities.
Phase 2: Airbus experts reviewed all entries and selected the top six teams to present live to a judging panel.
Phase 3: Final competition to be held on June 20, 2025 at the Paris Airshow 2025 (Le Bourget).
MEET TEAM AEROMORPH:
Clinton Ikechukwu (Nigeria)
M.Sc. Advanced Manufacturing and recipient of Manufacturing 4.0 for Intelligent & Sustainable Technologies (meta 4.0), European Union
Oghosa Abu (Nigeria)
M.Sc. candidate in Advanced & Computational Mathematics
Muhammad Junaid Ali (Pakistan)
M.Sc. in Advanced Manufacturing
M.Sc. Advanced Manufacturing and recipient of Manufacturing 4.0 for Intelligent & Sustainable Technologies (meta 4.0), European Union
PHOTO: (left) Oghosa Abu, (middle) Clinton Ikechukwu), (right) Muhammad Junaid Ali
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