KEY POINTS
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Nigeria’s aviation sector faces shortage of skilled professionals.
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Retired experts recalled to sustain operations and safety standards.
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Isaac Balami University set to boost local aviation training.
Nigeria’s aviation skilled labour shortage is pushing the government to recall retired professionals to fill vital positions across the sector. Aviation and Aerospace Management Minister Festus Keyamo said the move was vital to maintain safety and efficiency.
He made the remarks on Friday in Abuja during the unveiling of the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management. The university, Nigeria’s first private aeronautics institution, was licensed earlier this year by the Federal Government. It aims to address the long-standing shortage of trained aviation professionals and strengthen local technical capacity in the industry.
Nigeria’s aviation skilled labour shortage prompts recalls
Keyamo said the ministry’s manpower crisis is most severe among air traffic controllers and specialised aviation professionals. He noted that training such professionals requires years of specialised instruction and practical e xperience before full qualification.
“We are short-staffed in several aviation areas, and even Zaria is struggling in those critical segments,” he said. He referred to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Zaria as a key example of the shortage.
“We have had to recall retirees and extend their tenure to meet the need. So, we expect that you concentrate on those areas where we are short-staffed.”
He described the establishment of IBUAM as a timely intervention that aligns with the Federal Government’s plan to enhance training and technical education in aviation. The university, he said, represents a concrete step toward developing the next generation of aviation experts in Nigeria.
University to train new generation of aviators
The university’s founder, Isaac Balami, said IBUAM would help bridge the growing demand for aviation professionals across Africa “We are teaching in five years what took us 20 years to learn,” he said.
The curriculum includes digital simulation and specialised training for roles with global aircraft manufacturers. Pioneer Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paul Jemitola said every student will graduate with a degree and professional certifications. Each graduate will earn a private pilot’s licence and aircraft maintenance qualifications meeting NCAA and EASA standards, according to Punch.
He said the university aims to produce graduates with leadership and technical competence for the aviation industry.
This, he added, will help end Nigeria’s aviation skilled labour shortage and build a stronger workforce. Licensed on April 30, 2025, the institution received approval from President Bola Tinubu’s Federal Executive Council. It is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation education system and train professionals for Africa’s growing air transport industry.
