AfriPulse
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has raised concern over the growing shortage of skilled professionals in Nigeria’s aviation industry, a situation he said has forced the recall and retention of retired personnel to fill critical roles.
Keyamo disclosed this on Friday during the official unveiling of the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM) in Abuja, the country’s first private university dedicated to aeronautical education.
He said the establishment of the institution was both “timely and strategic,” aligning with the Federal Government’s goal of strengthening local capacity and technical expertise in the aviation sector.
“African aviation is projected to become the fastest-growing industry on the continent in the coming years. The demand for professionals, pilots, aeronautical engineers, and air traffic controllers will surge, and Nigeria must position itself ahead of this growth,” Keyamo said.
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The minister lamented the current shortage of qualified professionals, particularly air traffic controllers, and urged the management of IBUAM to prioritise training in such critical areas.
“We are short-staffed in several segments of the aviation sector, and even our training institutions, like the one in Zaria, are struggling to meet manpower needs. We have had to recall retirees and extend their tenure just to keep operations running,” he stated.
Keyamo expressed optimism that the new university would help address the skills gap by producing highly trained personnel capable of driving innovation and safety in the aviation industry.
The Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, licensed by the Federal Government on April 30, 2025, received its approval from President Bola Tinubu during a Federal Executive Council meeting held on March 3, 2025, marking the end of a four-year approval process for its establishment.
Source: RipplesNigeria | Read the Full Story…
