Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management, Festus Keyamo, has lauded Comrade Isaac Balami for founding Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM).
Gatekeepers News reports that the monster described the institution as a landmark achievement likely to draw more supporters to All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at the university’s unveiling, Keyamo said the “transfer season” remains open to anyone wishing to join the APC and encouraged Balami to lead political mobilisation efforts in Borno State.
He also commended Balami’s vision and energy, recalling how the young entrepreneur first shared his plans for the aviation university shortly after Keyamo assumed office.
Keyamo said, “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.”
“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 persistence, noting his support from inception until the university obtained approval. He said, “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 described IBUAM as a revolutionary achievement, highlighting that it is Africa’s first university to combine a flying school, aviation professional training, and an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility under one roof.
Hon. Midala Balami, representing Askira Uba Federal Constituency, also praised Isaac Balami as a symbol of resilience and determination. He said the university’s establishment has strengthened APC’s presence in Borno, positioning President Tinubu for victory in the 2027 elections.
He said, “Congratulations to Isaac Balami for completing 40 to 50 percent of the campaign for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Comrade Isaac Balami expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, Keyamo, Seyi Tinubu, Captain Chris Najomo, and other contributors to the project’s success. He explained that his choice to invest in Nigeria, despite the brain drain, reflects his commitment to national development.
Balami recounted his modest upbringing, noting that his parents sold their properties to support his education. He said, “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.”
Balami urged state governments, ministries, agencies, and political leaders to sponsor students on scholarships, assuring that profits from the university will be reinvested in society through his foundation.
Supporting this vision, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, announced scholarships for 100 female students seeking admission, emphasising that empowering young women in strategic sectors aligns with President Tinubu’s national growth agenda.
The event was attended by dignitaries including the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, senators, permanent secretaries, and industry leaders.
The university invited candidates who scored 200 and above in the UTME to visit https://www.ibuam.edu.ng for registration, adding that many scholarships will be funded by development agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
