The Federal Government has urged the newly established Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, IBUAM, to prioritise the training of air traffic controllers and other skilled professionals to address manpower shortages in the nation’s aviation industry.Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, gave the charge on Friday in Abuja at the official unveiling of the university.Keyamo, who commended the initiative of the university’s founder, Engr. Isaac Balami, said the shortage of trained air traffic controllers had forced the government to re-engage retired professionals on contract, a situation he described as unsustainable.“We are short-staffed in certain critical areas of aviation, especially air traffic control. It is difficult and expensive to produce them, which is why we’ve had to recall retired controllers to fill the gap.“We expect the university to concentrate on areas where we are deficient, particularly in the training of air traffic controllers. What you are doing is not competition with the government, it’s complementing our national effort,” he said.The minister lauded Balami’s vision and energy, describing the new university as “a revolution” in aviation education and a model for private sector participation in national development.“This is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to strengthen private sector participation and human capital development. IBUAM combines three critical components of aviation, a flying school, an MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) facility, and a professional training institution. That makes it a first of its kind on the continent,” he said.Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of IBUAM, Air Vice Marshal, rtd., Paul Jemitola, said the university was designed to meet the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s projection that Africa would need over 65,000 aviation professionals by 2040.“Every graduate of IBUAM will leave with not only a degree but also a private pilot’s licence and aircraft maintenance certification aligned with both NCAA and EASA standards. Our mission is to bridge Africa’s aviation skills gap through a blend of global standards and local innovation,” he said.Founder and proprietor, Engr Isaac Balami, recounted his humble beginnings and expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and industry regulators for supporting his vision.“From being a bus conductor and evacuator in Maiduguri to building this university, I’m a product of Nigeria’s possibilities.“IBUAM will produce young Nigerians ready to work unsupervised anywhere in the world, pilots, engineers, and managers trained to global competence,” he said.Balami noted that the university’s tuition reflects the high cost of aviation training but assured that scholarships and government support were being pursued to make access possible for qualified students.Also speaking, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, described the institution as a strategic partner in advancing safety, professionalism, and regulatory excellence in the aviation sector.
