Nigeria Recalls Retired Aviation Staff to Address Critical Skill Shortage, Minister Says

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has stated that the recall of retired aviation professionals was necessitated by a severe shortage of qualified personnel in critical roles within the sector.

Keyamo disclosed this on Friday during the unveiling of the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM) in Abuja—Nigeria’s first private aeronautics university, licensed earlier this year.

He emphasized that the industry faces significant gaps, particularly in areas such as air traffic control, prompting the government to extend the tenure of retired experts.

“We are short-staffed in key aviation roles, and even existing training institutions are struggling in these areas. We have had to recall retirees and extend their service to bridge the gap. We expect institutions like IBUAM to focus on training professionals in these high-demand fields,” Keyamo stated.

The university’s founder, Isaac Balami, described the institution as a strategic response to Africa’s growing demand for skilled aviation professionals. “We are condensing two decades of industry experience into a four-to-five-year degree program, offering hands-on digital simulation and globally recognized competencies,” he explained.

Professor Paul Jemitola, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, added that every graduate will receive not only a degree but also a Private Pilot’s Licence and an international aircraft maintenance certification aligned with Nigerian and European aviation safety standards.

Licensed on April 30, 2025, after approval by President Bola Tinubu, IBUAM aims to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation education framework and support the development of a skilled workforce for the continent’s expanding air transport industry.