The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has hailed Comrade Isaac Balami for his initiative in establishing a private specialised university, describing it as a development that will attract more people to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at the unveiling of the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM), Keyamo said the “transfer season” is still open for anyone willing to join the APC, urging Balami to take charge of political mobilisation in Borno State.
Commending Balami’s energy and vision, the minister recalled how the young entrepreneur first presented his dream of an aviation university to him shortly after his appointment as 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. 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,” Keyamo said.
He expressed surprise and admiration for Balami’s initiative at such a young age, adding that he was inspired to support him until the university received approval.
“This is another feather to my cap as Minister of Aviation. I can proudly say I’ve delivered my own polling unit in this sector. This aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to support the private sector and promote human capital development — two key pillars in our five-point agenda,” Keyamo added.
He described IBUAM as a “revolutionary achievement,” noting that it is the first of its kind in Africa by combining a flying school, aviation professional training, and an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility under one umbrella.
Also speaking, the member representing Askira Uba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Midala Balami, praised the university’s founder, describing him as a symbol of resilience and determination. He said with the unveiling of IBUAM, political opposition in Borno State had been weakened, and the stage was set for President Tinubu’s victory in 2027.
“Congratulations to Isaac Balami for completing 40 to 50 per cent 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 ongoing brain drain, was driven by his passion to contribute to nation-building.
Balami recounted his humble beginnings, noting how 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.
He called on state governments, ministries, agencies, and political leaders to sponsor students on scholarships, emphasising that profits from the university would be reinvested into the society through his Foundation.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, announced scholarships for 100 female students willing to enroll in the university, noting that empowering young women in critical 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 captains of industry.
