IBUAM Unveiled in Abuja: Africa’s First Private Aeronautics and Management University Takes Flight

Oru Leonard 

The Plateau Hall of the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, was a beehive of excitement and national pride on Friday, October 17, 2025, as dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond gathered for the world press conference and official unveiling of the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM) — the first private university of its kind in Nigeria and the entire African continent.

The epoch-making event drew a distinguished audience that included the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN; Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Senator Abubakar Mahadi; Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo; Vice-Chancellor of IBUAM, Air Vice Marshal (Prof.) Paul Jemitola (Rtd); and Comrade Isaac Balami, Founder and Chancellor of the University. Representatives of the Minister of Women Affairs, members of the National Assembly, diplomats, scholars, and industry leaders were also in attendance.

The unveiling was not just an academic ceremony; it was, in the words of attendees, “a defining moment for Nigeria’s aviation and education sectors.”

“A Revolution in Aviation and Leadership Education” — VC Jemitola

In his keynote address, Air Vice Marshal (Prof.) Paul Jemitola (Rtd), Vice Chancellor of IBUAM, described the institution as “a revolution designed to shape the future of aviation and leadership in Africa.”

“The International Civil Aviation Organisation projects that over 65,000 new African aviation professionals will be needed by the year 2040,” Prof. Jemitola declared. “Accordingly, our university is a critical institution designed to fill this gap right here on African soil.”

He explained that IBUAM’s curriculum combines world-class academic standards with hands-on technical and leadership training.

“Every student, regardless of discipline — whether in aerospace engineering, aviation management, or computer engineering — will have the opportunity to master piloting and leadership alongside their primary course of study,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor further disclosed that graduates of IBUAM would not only earn their degrees but also obtain Private Pilot Licences, Aircraft Maintenance Certifications, and even Commercial Licensure options, all aligned with NCAA and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards.

“At IBUAM, our students will log over 1,000 hours on live aircraft and train with advanced simulation technologies from industry leaders such as Boeing, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce,” he added. “Every tool, simulator, and lab is dedicated to preparing our students not just to fit into the industry but to shape it.”

Prof. Jemitola emphasized that IBUAM’s mission goes beyond technical training.

“The Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management is where pilots will graduate as entrepreneurs, engineers as innovators, and managers as visionaries,” he said to thunderous applause.

He concluded by inviting aspiring students across Africa and the diaspora to apply, declaring:

“If you dream of flying, fixing, managing, or leading, this is the runway. Visit www.ibuam.edu.ng — your journey begins now.”

“From Bus Conductor to University Founder” — Balami’s Inspiring Journey

The emotional high point of the event came when Comrade Isaac Balami, the visionary founder and chancellor of IBUAM, took the podium. His heartfelt speech traced a remarkable personal journey from humble beginnings in Maiduguri, Borno State, to becoming one of Africa’s foremost aviation entrepreneurs.

“I came from a humble background. I was a suck-away evacuator and a bus conductor. I used to spend weeks in the bush farming to survive,” Balami recounted, his voice quivering with emotion. “Today, by the grace of God and the support of mentors and friends, we are launching the first private aeronautics and management university in Africa.”

He expressed deep gratitude to the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, for his early encouragement, and to Capt. Chris Najomo, DG of NCAA, for what he described as “unwavering support to make the university a reality.”

Balami also praised the Minister of Education for approving IBUAM’s licence after rigorous evaluation.

“Even when it looked impossible to get this licence, he did the needful because he saw the gap in the industry,” he said.

Reflecting on IBUAM’s integrated learning model, Balami explained:
“Our university is tied to an existing aircraft maintenance and repair facility in Lagos. That means our students will not just learn theory — they will work in hangars, engine shops, structural repair bays, avionics labs, and more. By the time they graduate at 21, they can work unsupervised anywhere in the world.”

He assured the Federal Government that IBUAM would uphold excellence and accountability in its operations.

“We want to assure the President and the Federal Executive Council that we will make Nigeria and Africa proud. IBUAM is our patriotic response to the massive skills gap in aviation across the continent.”

Balami also announced a special partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs to train 100 female students across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones annually, a statement that received a standing ovation.

Acknowledging the high cost of aviation education, he called on public and private stakeholders to support scholarships for indigent but qualified students.

> “The tuition is not cheap — aircraft maintenance and training are expensive. But if you are qualified and determined, we will find ways to support you,” he pledged.

Voices of Support and National Hope

In goodwill messages, dignitaries applauded the initiative as a turning point for Nigeria’s aviation and education sectors.
The Minister of Aviation, represented by senior officials, commended Balami for his visionary leadership, stating that the university aligns perfectly with the Federal Government’s Aerospace Development Agenda.

Ambassador Gabriel Aduda hailed IBUAM as “a national pride and continental asset,” while Senator Abubakar Mahadi described it as “a model for youth-driven transformation in education and technology.”

Mrs. Jimmy Okoye, representing the Minister of Women Affairs, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to female inclusion in the aviation sector.

“We are proud to partner with IBUAM to ensure that more young women take to the skies — not just as flight attendants, but as pilots, engineers, and managers,” she declared.

A New Dawn for African Aviation

As the curtains fell, applause filled the Plateau Hall — a symbol of optimism for Nigeria’s future in aerospace and innovation.

With its motto of “Excellence in the Skies, Leadership on the Ground,” the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management has officially taken off — promising to raise a new generation of African aviators, innovators, and leaders capable of competing on the global stage.

As Comrade Balami concluded in his closing words:

“Nobody will come to fix Nigeria for us. It is up to us. Today, we are not just launching a university — we are launching a new era for Africa.”