Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called on opposition politicians, particularly those in the Peoples Democratic Party and African Democratic Congress, to seize what he described as an “open transfer window” and align with the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday during the public unveiling of the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM)—Africa’s first private aeronautics university—Keyamo urged opposition members to join the APC-led administration in repositioning the country under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This transfer window is still open, but it might close sooner than expected. So, I encouraged the opposition party members to join us before it’s too late so we could sail the ship of Nigeria together,” he said.
While commending the establishment of the new university, Keyamo reiterated the federal government’s commitment to supporting local investments and human capital development. He applauded the vision and persistence of the institution’s founder, Isaac Balami, noting that the university is well positioned to address critical gaps in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
He urged the management of IBUAM to remain focused on its mission, highlighting that the institution is expected to provide solutions to longstanding deficiencies in aviation training.
“There are huge gaps that this new university is here to cover. The shortcomings of our flying school in Zaria are what you will bridge. Obviously, our flying school offers limited programmes, but you are here to do multiple things to fix the aviation sector,” he said.
The minister revealed that the country is currently facing a shortage of skilled aviation professionals, particularly air traffic controllers (ATCs). He noted that due to the difficulty in producing qualified ATCs, the ministry is now considering re-engaging retired professionals on contract terms to fill the gap.
“We are short-staffed in terms of air traffic controllers. They are so much, they are trained as skilled professionals that it is very difficult to produce them. So we have the option now of even retaining those who have retired,” Keyamo explained.
He described the aviation sector as one of the fastest-growing industries on the continent, predicting an increased demand for pilots, aeronautical engineers, and air traffic professionals in the coming years.
“African aviation is the fastest growing sector. It is going to be the fastest growing sector amongst all sectors in Africa in the next few years… We need to begin to look ahead,” he said. “Welcome to the sector. Welcome to the ecosystem, and we hope to work with you together.”
In his remarks, IBUAM founder Isaac Balami recounted the challenges he faced in securing a provisional licence for the university. He assured stakeholders that the institution is prepared to fill the training void in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
“It took me some number of years to get my footings in the different areas of the aviation sector, and that was because of the limitations that we had in trainings. But I can tell you that what took 20 years to do in terms of training will take four or five years to achieve in IBUAM,” Balami said.
He noted that students at the university would undergo practical training throughout their academic journey.
“At the end of the day, you will not just go and just get theory after five years and graduate, but you will get every year, every weekend, every public holiday… flying, aircraft engine shop, landing gear shop… 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 said.
Balami added that the university has begun admitting students and encouraged qualified candidates to apply. While acknowledging the high cost of training, he said efforts are being made to provide financial support for students.
Pioneer Vice-Chancellor of IBUAM, Prof. Paul Jemitola, noted that the university aims to produce aviation and management professionals equipped with hands-on skills and leadership training.
“Every student will have the opportunity to master piloting and leadership alongside their primary course of study. When you graduate, you will earn your degree and also a private pilot’s licence and international aircraft maintenance certification aligned with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency standards,” he explained.
He added that the institution would play a critical role in strengthening Nigeria’s aviation education and workforce capacity to meet Africa’s growing air transport demands.
Also speaking, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, pledged to sponsor 100 female students from across the six geopolitical zones annually to receive training at the university.
