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….As Founder Isaac Balami, Minister Keyamo, Industry Leaders Hail “Epoch-making” Event at Transcorp Hilton

Nigeria’s aviation and education sectors witnessed a historic milestone on Friday with the official unveiling of the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM), heralded as the first private university of its kind in both Nigeria and Africa.
The epoch-making event, held in the packed Plateau Hall of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, gathered top government officials, aviation experts, legislative leaders, and members of the diplomatic corps to launch an institution designed to redefine aerospace training on the continent.

The launch was graced by eminent personalities, including the Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN; Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Gabriel Aduda; and several members of the National Assembly.

A Revolution in African Aviation
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Air Vice Marshal (Prof.) Paul Jemitola (Rtd), set an ambitious tone in his opening address, declaring the institution a direct response to a looming skills crisis in the continent’s aviation sector.

“Today, we unveil the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, which is Africa’s first privately owned university dedicated to aeronautics and management,” Prof. Jemitola stated. “This is not just a university, it is a revolution designed to shape the future of aviation and leadership in Africa.”

He cited stark projections from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) as the primary driver for IBUAM’s establishment.

“The International Civil Aviation Organisation projects that over 65,000 new African aviation professionals will be needed by the year 2040,” he warned. “Accordingly, our university is a critical institution designed to fill this gap right here on African soil.”

Prof. Jemitola explained that IBUAM’s unique model moves beyond traditional academics. He said every student, regardless of their core discipline, will also be trained in piloting and leadership.

“When you graduate from our university, you will earn your degree but should also walk away with a private pilot’s licence and even options for a commercial licensure,” the Vice-Chancellor explained. “You will also walk away with an International Aircraft Maintenance Certification aligned with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency Standards… At our university, our students will be able to log over 1,000 hours on live aircraft and train with advanced digital simulation technologies from industry leaders such as Boeing, Airbus and Rolls-Royce.”

He concluded, “IBUAM is where pilots will graduate as entrepreneurs, engineers will graduate as innovators and managers will graduate as visionaries… Admissions are officially open.”

“Nobody Will Fix Nigeria If Not Us”
The Founder and Chancellor of the university, Comrade Isaac Balami, delivered a powerful and personal speech, detailing his journey from extreme poverty to establishing the landmark institution.

“My story is not a hidden story,” Balami shared with the hushed audience. “I came from a humble background in Maiduguri, Borno State, where I was a suck-away faeces evacuator. I was a bus conductor. I used to go spend four weeks to eight weeks in the bush… to farm… And today, from the evasion college, to my postgraduate programme, to my masters in London, to finishing my PhD… I give all the glory to God.”

Balami, a respected engineer and aviation stakeholder, thanked the regulatory bodies and government officials who supported the vision, including Minister Festus Keyamo, whom he approached for support even while a member of an opposition party.

He stressed that the university’s curriculum is built on practical experience, not just theory. He noted the university is “tied to an existing aircraft maintenance repair overhaul (MRO) facility in Lagos.”

“Every other holiday will be spent in the hangar, flying, aircraft engine shop, landing gear shop… avionics, wheels and brake and so on,” Balami explained. “So at the end of the day, you are producing a 20-21 years old boy or girl that can work unsupervised anywhere in the world.”

He framed the university as a patriotic duty, a solution to the “japa” (brain drain) syndrome.
“Everything that I have become is because of Nigeria… most of my classmates from Zaria… are all working in Qatar, Abu Dhabi, UK, Canada, but we choose to remain here despite the challenges and the hostile environment. Because nobody will come and fix Nigeria if not us.”

Addressing the inevitable question of fees, Balami was candid. “The tuition fee is not cheap. The cost of aircraft, aviation fuel, digital simulations, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and accommodation is not cheap.”

However, he urged all qualified Nigerians to apply immediately, referencing his own experience of needing sponsorship from the former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to attend aviation college.

“You must be qualified… The form is now open,” he announced. “If your parents can pay, fine. If your parents cannot pay and you are qualified, we have leaders here that will actually speak on your behalf.”

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