By Shiktra Shalangwa
The Nigerian government has unveiled the Isaac Balami Aeronautic and Management University, the first Aeronautic and Management University in Africa.
Speaking at the unveiling of the university in Abuja, the nation’s capital, the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, said it is a great feat for the aviation industry.
Mr. Keyamo said the unveiling is in line with the vision of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to support the growth and sustainability of the private sector.
“It is one of our five points agendas. One the support for local entrepreneurs within our sector and two human capital development. It is a revolution.”
He urged state governments to support indigenous students, stating that the university is a combination of three institutions.
Mr. Keyamo also urged the university to concentrate on air traffic control, stating that the future of air flight in Africa will be short-staffed in air controlling.
Representing the Minister of Women Affairs, the Special Adviser on Technical and Strategic Communication, Mrs. Chumi Okoye, said the university is an extraordinary achievement, with a bold demonstration of what is possible when vision meets determination. She said the university represents the bridge between dreams and opportunity.
The Minister said that “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.
“We’re opening new pathways for women in innovation, trade and technical sector such as aviation. Recent data reveals that 13% of aviation jobs are held by women. Our goal is to significantly increase women participation and close these gap.”
She said the ministry will partner with the university to train one hundred (100) young women across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones as the first batch of trainees.
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The Director General Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, said the university redefines the future of aviation education, profession, and management in Nigeria and Africa. He said it is timely, considering the challenges in the aviation sector, including limited capacity to advance technical and managerial training.
Visionary revolution
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Paul Jemitola, in his welcoming remarks, said the university is a revolution designed to shape the future of aviation leadership in Africa. He said the university will provide global standards with local expertise.
The founder of the university, Engineer Isaac Balami, PhD, thanked the Nigerian government, the aviation authority, family, friends, and the Nigerian Universities Commission for their support.
He said with that support, the university has an existing aircraft for maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities in Lagos, South-West Nigeria.
He said, “the university not only offers theories but practical experience and producing young people that can work unsupervised anywhere in the world, giving them competence in digital aviation to have the capability to work from Lagos campus to Boeing, Mercedes, Range Rover, Airbus etc.”
He added, “what took us 20 years we are giving it to our children in four to five years.”
He assured the Nigerian government that he will do his best to ensure the university delivers and closes the skill gap of 65,000 engineers and pilots that will be required in Africa in the next 12 years.