The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barr. Festus Keyamo, has restated the determination of the present administration to promote private sector growth and human capital development in the Aviation and other sectors of the economy.
Keyamo gave the assurance in Abuja at the news conference to unveil the establishment of the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBAUM) describing it as a revolution in aviation training and a major milestone for Nigeria and Africa.
Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja, he said the university aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to promote private sector growth and human capital development, two key pillars of the administration’s five-point agenda.
He added that Africa’s aviation sector is projected to be one of the fastest growing globally, creating a huge demand for pilots, engineers, and controllers, and that IBAUM will help Nigeria prepare for this growth.
Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Ona Najomo, described the project as timely and visionary, saying the authority will collaborate with the university on training, safety management, and regulatory compliance to ensure its graduates meet international standards.
Founder of the Institution, Engineer Isaac Balami, and Vice Chancellor, Air Vice Marshal (Rtd.) Professor Paul Jemitola, said the institution was established to bridge the skills gap in aviation across Africa.
They explained that students will earn degrees alongside pilot licenses and maintenance certifications accredited by the NCAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), with over 1,000 hours of hands-on aircraft training using technologies from Boeing, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce.
