Fifty four students sponsored by the Borno State Government have begun a specialised pilot and engineering programme at the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, in what the institution describes as its first major academic intake since commencing operations.
The beneficiaries were formally received at a ceremony held over the weekend, where the Founder of the university, Isaac Balami, outlined the structure of the training. According to him, the students will undergo a five year academic programme that combines degrees in aerospace engineering, mechatronics engineering, systems engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, and software engineering with professional pilot training.
He said, “Today is a historic day where we are receiving the first 54 pilots and aircraft engineers from Borno State Government. They will be undergoing a five year degree programme. At the end of the programme, they will graduate as engineers, pilots, and also system thinkers.”
Balami explained that the sponsorship is part of Borno State’s efforts to restore educational development after years of disruption. He said, “Borno State has gone through very difficult times. There was a time when our schools were almost closed down for more than one and a half years. One of the reasons behind this sponsorship is that Borno State wants to bring back the past glory of education to the state.”
He further disclosed that attempts to secure large scale pilot training placements elsewhere proved challenging. “We approached the Nigerian Pilot Institute in Zaria, and they said they could only provide five admissions at a time every year. That would have taken us almost six years to train 30 pilots,” he said.
For the students, the opportunity represents a significant milestone. Ihsan Yakubu, who is studying software engineering, said, “This aviation career has been a dream and a goal for me. I am so happy and excited to be here studying at IBUAM. It is a life changing opportunity, and I am so grateful.”
She added, “It will show that aviation is not only for men. There is no gender discrimination. All courses are meant for both girls and boys.”
Another beneficiary, Baba Ahmad Umar from Maiduguri, who is studying mechatronics, said: “This scholarship means a lot to me because it is a life changing opportunity. I will try my best to make my state and my parents proud. I will study hard and have a bright future.”
