IBUAM: Isaac Balami Launches Africa’s First Private University for Aeronautics and Management

Abuja, Nigeria – A groundbreaking milestone for African aviation and higher education was achieved on Thursday with the official unveiling of the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM), Africa’s first privately owned university dedicated exclusively to aeronautics and management.

Speaking at the world press conference and unveiling ceremony in Abuja, the Vice Chancellor, Air Vice Marshal (rtd) Professor Paul Jemitola, described the institution as “a revolution designed to shape the future of African aviation and leadership.”

He noted that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) projects that Africa will require over 65,000 new aviation professionals by 2040, emphasizing that IBUAM is strategically positioned to fill this gap with locally trained, globally competitive professionals.

Minister of Aviation Hails Milestone for the Sector

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, praised the establishment of IBUAM as “a great feat for the aviation industry.”

He said the unveiling aligns perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and its five-point agenda, particularly in supporting private sector growth and human capital development.

“It is one of our five points agenda — one, the support for local entrepreneurs within our sector, and two, human capital development. It is a revolution,” Mr. Keyamo stated.

The Minister urged state governments to support indigenous students in gaining admission to IBUAM and highlighted the institution’s unique structure, which he said “is a combination of three institutions.”

He also encouraged the university to give special attention to air traffic control, warning that “the future of air flight in Africa will face a shortage of professionals in air controlling.”

Women Affairs Ministry Commends IBUAM’s Inclusivity

Representing the Minister of Women Affairs, the Special Adviser on Technical and Strategic Communication, Mrs. Chumi Okoye, lauded the initiative as “an extraordinary achievement and a bold demonstration of what is possible when vision meets determination.”

She emphasized that the university marks a historic opportunity for women in Nigeria and across Africa.

“For the first time, young women will have access to world-class education in aeronautics engineering and management at home without needing to go abroad. The university is a testament to Nigeria’s capacity for innovation and excellence,” she said.

Mrs. Okoye noted that the ministry will partner with IBUAM to train 100 young women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones in the first phase of its collaboration with the institution.

“We’re opening new pathways for women in innovation, trade, and technical sectors such as aviation. Recent data reveals that only 13% of aviation jobs are held by women, and our goal is to significantly increase women’s participation and close this gap,” she added.

NCAA Endorses IBUAM’s Vision

The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, also commended the establishment of the university, describing it as “timely and transformative.”

He noted that IBUAM “redefines the future of aviation education, profession, and management in Nigeria and Africa,” particularly as the sector continues to face challenges in capacity development and specialized technical training.

A Vision Rooted in Innovation — The Founder Speaks

In his remarks, Engr. Isaac Balami, founder of IBUAM and a respected aviation entrepreneur, said the university was born from a lifelong dream to build a world-class institution that would train Africans in Africa to global standards.

“For too long, we have depended on foreign institutions to train our pilots, engineers, and managers. IBUAM is proof that we can build excellence right here at home — by Africans, for Africa, and for the world,” Balami said.

He added that the university’s mission is not just to produce graduates but leaders equipped with skills, discipline, and vision to transform the continent’s aviation landscape.

“Our goal is to raise a new generation of aviation entrepreneurs, innovators, and policymakers who will drive Africa’s presence in global aviation. This is more than a university; it is a movement,” Balami stated.

Redefining the African Graduate

According to the Vice Chancellor, every student at IBUAM will combine academic training with hands-on aeronautical experience. Regardless of their discipline from Aerospace Engineering to Aviation Management or Computer Engineering students will be trained in Piloting and Leadership alongside their primary studies.

Graduates can earn:

• A Private Pilot License (PPL), with pathways to commercial certification.
• International aircraft maintenance certifications recognized by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Immersive Learning and Leadership Development

Students will receive over 1,000 hours of live aircraft experience and train with cutting-edge simulation technologies from global leaders such as Boeing, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce.

Beyond academics, IBUAM offers a balanced lifestyle experience, with modern dining, sports, and recreational facilities that foster leadership, teamwork, and innovation.

Join the Future of African Aviation

IBUAM is now open for admissions to students across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.

“This is where pilots graduate as entrepreneurs, engineers as innovators, and managers as visionaries,” Professor Jemitola said.

Prospective students can apply at www.ibuam.edu.ng to begin their journey into the future of African aviation.

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