Petrol station workers demand health insurance from IPMAN
By Joshua Uti
Keyamo explains decision to recall retired aviation workers
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management, Festus Keyamo, SAN, on Friday announced that Nigeria’s aviation sector is currently grappling with a shortage of qualified professionals, a situation which has led to the recall and retention of retired personnel.
Keyamo disclosed this during the official unveiling of the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM) in Abuja.
Earlier this year, the Federal Government granted IBUAM a licence to operate as the country’s first private university dedicated to aeronautics. The minister described the institution’s establishment as timely and in line with government efforts to strengthen local capacity and technical expertise within the aviation industry.
“We are short-staffed in certain critical areas in aviation, and even Zaria is struggling in those areas. We lack sufficient air traffic controllers and other skilled professionals who are not easily produced,” Keyamo explained.
“We have had to recall retirees and extend their tenure to meet operational demands. Therefore, we expect the university to focus on addressing these specific manpower gaps,” he added.
The founder of the university, Isaac Balami, noted that the institution was set up to meet the growing demand for aviation professionals across Africa.
“We are transferring what took us 20 years to learn in the industry to our students in just four to five years. Number 14 of our tuition schedule highlights the importance of equipping students with digital simulation skills that will enable them to work with global manufacturers,” Balami said.
The pioneer Vice-Chancellor of IBUAM, Professor Paul Jemitola, stated that the university aims to produce a new generation of aviation and management experts equipped with practical skills and leadership capabilities.
“Every student will have the opportunity to master piloting and leadership alongside their main course of study. Upon graduation, they will obtain both their degree and a private pilot’s licence, as well as international aircraft maintenance certification aligned with the standards of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency,” he explained.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the institution will enhance Nigeria’s aviation education framework and contribute to building the skilled technical workforce required to support the continent’s expanding air transport sector.
Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management is Nigeria’s first private aeronautics university. It was officially licensed by the Federal Government on 30 April 2025, following the approval of President Bola Tinubu during a Federal Executive Council meeting on 3 March 2025. This marked the end of a four-year wait by the university’s founders.
