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In a momentous stride for Nigeria and the African continent, the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM) \u2014 Africa\u2019s first privately owned university dedicated to aeronautics and management \u2014 was formally unveiled on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Plateau Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.<\/p>\n
The grand event, which doubled as a world press conference, gathered a distinguished assembly of leaders from the aviation, education, defence, diplomatic, and legislative sectors. Among the notable attendees were Hon. Festus Keyamo, SAN, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development; Amb. Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Senator Abubakar Mahadi; Capt. Chris Najomo, Director-General of the NCAA; Air Vice Marshal (Prof.) Paul Jemitola (Rtd), Vice Chancellor of IBUAM; and Comrade Isaac Balami, Founder and Chancellor of IBUAM.<\/p>\n
Also present were representatives of the Minister of Women Affairs, members of the National Assembly, senior government officials, industry experts, and journalists from across the country.<\/p>\n
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\n\u201cIBUAM Is a Revolution, Not Just a University\u201d \u2014 VC Jemitola<\/p>\n
Delivering the keynote address, Air Vice Marshal (Prof.) Paul Jemitola (Rtd) described the institution as a groundbreaking development that would transform the landscape of aviation education and leadership in Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, we unveil not just a university, but a revolution designed to shape the future of aviation and leadership across Africa,\u201d he said. \u201cThe International Civil Aviation Organisation projects that over 65,000 new African aviation professionals will be needed by 2040. Our university is a timely response to that call.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prof. Jemitola outlined IBUAM\u2019s unique educational model, which blends academic learning with hands-on professional training.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery graduate of this university will not only earn a degree but also acquire a Private Pilot Licence and Aircraft Maintenance Certification in compliance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and European Union Aviation Safety Agency standards,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
He emphasized that IBUAM\u2019s curriculum is designed to make its students \u201cglobal professionals with African roots.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur students will log over 1,000 flight and simulation hours with industry partners such as Boeing, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are building an ecosystem where pilots graduate as entrepreneurs, engineers as innovators, and managers as visionaries.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Vice Chancellor closed his remarks with an open invitation to students across Africa and beyond:<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you dream of flying, fixing, managing, or leading, this is the runway to your future. Visit www.ibuam.edu.ng and begin your journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a Village Boy to a University Founder\u201d \u2014 Balami\u2019s Emotional Testimony<\/p>\n
In an emotionally charged address, Comrade Isaac Balami, founder and chancellor of IBUAM, recounted his humble beginnings in Maiduguri, Borno State, before rising to become a respected figure in Nigeria\u2019s aviation industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cI came from a background where I was a suck-away evacuator, a bus conductor, and a farm labourer,\u201d he said. \u201cDuring school holidays, when others played football, I was in the bush working to support my family. Today, by God\u2019s grace, we are unveiling Africa\u2019s first private aeronautics and management university.\u201d<\/p>\n
Balami paid tribute to those who supported his vision, particularly Minister Festus Keyamo, Capt. Chris Najomo, and the Minister of Education, who approved the institution\u2019s licence after what he described as a \u201crigorous but fair process.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEven when it looked impossible, the Minister of Education saw the gap in the aviation industry and acted with courage. The Civil Aviation Authority and the NUC were thorough but supportive. Today, that diligence has given birth to IBUAM,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Explaining IBUAM\u2019s practical training model, Balami revealed that the university is directly connected to an aircraft maintenance and overhaul facility in Lagos.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur students will not just study theory; they will spend their weekends and holidays in the hangar \u2014 repairing engines, testing avionics, and learning real-life operations. By graduation, they will be employable anywhere in the world without supervision,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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He further assured that IBUAM will be a model of excellence and accountability, committed to making Nigeria a continental hub for aviation innovation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIBUAM is a patriotic response to Africa\u2019s aviation manpower deficit,\u201d Balami declared. \u201cWe want to assure the President and the Federal Executive Council that we will make Nigeria proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
Empowering Women, Building Africa\u2019s Future<\/p>\n
In one of the day\u2019s major announcements, Balami disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs had pledged to sponsor 100 female students annually from across Nigeria\u2019s six geopolitical zones to study at IBUAM.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis partnership will help break barriers and open the skies to women,\u201d he said, drawing loud applause from the audience.<\/p>\n
Mrs. Jimmy Okoye, representing the Minister of Women Affairs, commended the initiative as \u201ca landmark for gender inclusion in aviation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are proud to support a university that is not only training pilots and engineers but also building leaders \u2014 both male and female \u2014 who will shape Africa\u2019s future,\u201d she remarked.<\/p>\n
National Leaders Laud IBUAM\u2019s Vision<\/p>\n
In their goodwill messages, top officials and legislators hailed the project as a symbol of hope and progress.<\/p>\n
Ambassador Gabriel Aduda described the university as \u201ca national pride and a beacon for Africa\u2019s next generation of innovators.\u201d
\nSenator Abubakar Mahadi praised the initiative for \u201cturning dreams into institutional realities,\u201d while Capt. Chris Najomo, DG of NCAA, pledged continued regulatory support to ensure global compliance and operational excellence.<\/p>\n
A Symbol of Hope and Excellence<\/p>\n
As the ceremony concluded, guests lauded the vision and tenacity behind the project, describing it as \u201cthe takeoff of a new Nigeria where innovation meets patriotism.\u201d<\/p>\n
With its bold motto, \u201cExcellence in the Skies, Leadership on the Ground,\u201d the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management officially begins its journey \u2014 not just as an institution of learning, but as a beacon of African ingenuity, courage, and progress.<\/p>\n
In the words of Comrade Balami: \u201cNobody will come to fix Nigeria for us. It is our duty to build it ourselves. IBUAM is our contribution \u2014 our runway to a brighter, stronger Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In a momentous stride for Nigeria and the African continent, the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM) \u2014 Africa\u2019s first privately owned university dedicated to aeronautics and management \u2014 was formally unveiled on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Plateau Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. The grand event, which doubled as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7674,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business"],"yoast_head":"\n