The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management, Festus Keyamo, has commended Comrade Isaac Balami for establishing the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM), describing the initiative as a milestone that will attract more supporters to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at the unveiling of the university, Keyamo said the “transfer season” remained open for anyone willing to join the APC, urging Balami to take charge of political mobilisation in Borno State.
He praised Balami’s energy and vision, recalling how the young entrepreneur first shared his dream of founding an aviation university with him shortly after he was appointed minister.
“The moment I was sworn in as Minister of Aviation, one of the first people who came to my office was Isaac Balami. He shared his plans for the aviation sector,” Keyamo said.
“I remember it was around his 39th birthday. He told me he had just established an MRO in Lagos and that the Isaac Balami University was on the way.”
The minister expressed admiration for Balami’s determination, saying he was inspired to support him until the university received its approval.
“This is another feather in my cap as Minister of Aviation. I can proudly say I’ve delivered my own polling unit in this sector. This aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to support the private sector and promote human capital development — two key pillars of our five-point agenda,” he added.
Keyamo described IBUAM as a “revolutionary achievement,” noting that it is the first university in Africa to combine a flying school, aviation professional training, and an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility under one institution.
Also speaking, the member representing Askira Uba Federal Constituency, Hon. Midala Balami, described Isaac Balami as a symbol of resilience and determination.
He said the establishment of IBUAM had strengthened the APC’s base in Borno and positioned President Tinubu for victory in 2027.
“Congratulations to Isaac Balami for completing 40 to 50 percent of the campaign for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
In his remarks, Comrade Isaac Balami expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, Keyamo, Seyi Tinubu, Captain Chris Najomo, and others who contributed to the success of the project.
He said his decision to remain in Nigeria and invest locally, despite the brain drain, was driven by his commitment to national development.
He recounted his humble beginnings, noting that his parents sold their properties to support his education.
“The university is not just another tertiary institution; it is tied to an aircraft maintenance and overhaul facility in Lagos. Our goal is to produce 21-year-old graduates who can work anywhere in the world without supervision,” he said.
Balami called on state governments, ministries, agencies, and political leaders to sponsor students on scholarships, stressing that profits from the university would be reinvested in society through his foundation.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, announced scholarships for 100 female students seeking admission into the university, noting that empowering young women in strategic sectors aligns with President Tinubu’s vision for gender inclusion and national growth.
The event was attended by dignitaries, including the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, as well as senators, permanent secretaries, and industry leaders.
The university urged all candidates who scored 200 and above in the UTME to visit https://www.ibuam.edu.ng for registration, adding that most of its scholarships would be funded by development agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
