Abuja: The Founder, Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM), Dr. Isaac Balami, announced the establishment of the institution as a strategic response to the critical skill gap in Nigeria’s and Africa’s aviation industry. Balami emphasized that the university aims to produce industry-ready aviators, engineers, and managers equipped to compete on a global scale.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, during the official unveiling of the university in Abuja, Balami highlighted that IBUAM, which has recently been licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC), is designed to provide students with both theoretical education and practical aviation training. This training is closely tied to an operational aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility located in Lagos. Students will graduate not only with degrees but also with international certifications in various aviation disciplines.
Balami, who is a trained aircraft engineer, explained that the university’s model ensures that every student gains extensive hands-on experience. Students will spend their holidays and breaks in the hangar, learning through practical tasks such as flying, repairing engines, and working on landing gears. The goal is to equip them with the real-world experience demanded by the industry.
He also pointed out that Africa requires over 65,000 skilled aviation professionals in the next decade, while the current output from Nigeria and other leading countries is fewer than 500 annually. Balami expressed that IBUAM was created as a solution to this gap, reducing dependency on expatriates by training local youth to fill these roles.
Balami extended his gratitude to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, for his steadfast support, as well as to the Minister of Education for facilitating the university’s licensing. He also thanked the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the NUC for their guidance, pledging to make Nigeria and Africa proud.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Paul Jemitola, a retired Air Vice Marshal, described the institution as a revolutionary step in aviation and management education across Africa. He noted that IBUAM is Africa’s first privately-owned university dedicated solely to aeronautics and management sciences.
Jemitola emphasized that the university was established to address the global shortage of aviation professionals, citing projections from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) that Africa would need over 65,000 new aviation experts by 2040. He described the university as a response to the skills deficit in Africa’s aviation ecosystem.
He further explained that IBUAM’s unique model allows every student to undergo hands-on pilot training alongside academic studies. Graduates will earn a degree, a private pilot license, and international aircraft maintenance certification, along with over 1,000 hours of logged training on live aircraft and advanced simulators.
Jemitola mentioned partnerships with top global manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce, ensuring world-class learning and practical exposure for students. He stated that the university’s goal is to produce not just graduates but innovators and leaders who will shape Africa’s aviation future.
He concluded by urging Nigerian and African youths with a passion for aviation and technology to take advantage of the admission window now open on the university’s official website (www.ibuam.edu.ng).