Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has raised concerns over the shortage of skilled professionals in Nigeria’s aviation sector, particularly air traffic controllers.

He expressed optimism that the newly established Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM) would play a pivotal role in addressing the manpower deficit and boosting local capacity in the industry.

Speaking in Abuja on Friday during the unveiling of the university, Keyamo described the initiative as timely and aligned with the Federal Government’s agenda to enhance technical expertise and reduce dependence on foreign professionals.

“We are short-staffed in certain areas of aviation, and even Zaria is struggling in those particular areas. We are short-staffed in terms of air traffic controllers and other skilled professionals that are very difficult to produce,” he said.

“We have had to recall retirees and extend their tenure to meet the need. So, we expect that you concentrate in those areas where we are short-staffed,” the minister added.

Keyamo noted that the government is implementing strategies to achieve self-sufficiency in the aviation industry by developing homegrown talent, investing in modern training institutions, and strengthening regulatory frameworks.

According to him, these efforts are essential as Africa’s air transport sector continues to expand rapidly.

“African aviation is the fastest-growing sector. In the next few years, it will outpace other industries on the continent. Africa will soon be looking for professionals—pilots, aeronautical engineers, and air traffic controllers. We need to be ahead of these dynamics. This could not have come at a better time,” Keyamo said.

Earlier, the university’s founder, Isaac Balami, said IBUAM was established to help meet the increasing demand for aviation professionals across Africa.

“We are condensing what took us 20 years to learn in the industry and giving it to our students in four to five years. One of our key objectives is to equip students with digital simulation skills that make them globally competitive,” he stated.

Balami estimated that Africa’s aviation sector would require about 65,000 professionals over the next decade, far exceeding the current output of training institutions across the continent.

The university’s pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Paul Jemitola, said IBUAM is committed to nurturing a new generation of professionals with a blend of technical expertise, leadership, and managerial competence.

He added that the institution’s programmes are designed to combine theoretical knowledge with hands-on training, problem-solving, and innovation to produce graduates capable of driving excellence in the aviation and management sectors.