Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, on Tuesday advocated expanded support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to further strengthen research, innovation, and human capital development at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT).
The CAS, who spoke during a visit to Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono, expressed Nigerian Air Force’s deep appreciation for the Fund’s longstanding interventions in AFIT.
He commended the leadership of the Executive Secretary for initiatives that continue to strengthen tertiary education in Nigeria, noting that institutions such as TETFund remain critical to national development. According to the CAS, “TETFund has remained a long-standing strategic partner to the Nigerian Air Force. The Fund’s interventions at the Air Force Institute of Technology have significantly enhanced the Institute’s capacity to deliver on its mandate as our premier technical training institution and to contribute meaningfully to national development.”
Air Marshal Aneke highlighted the significant impact of TETFund’s support to AFIT, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, research funding, and academic capacity building. He noted that through the Fund’s interventions, the Institute has benefited from the construction of key facilities including the Faculties of Ground and Communication Equipment and Management Sciences, a Cyber Security building, multi-user laboratories, offices, accommodation blocks, as well as support for ICT development, library expansion, and entrepreneurship programmes.
The CAS further observed that AFIT has, over the years, evolved into one of the most sought-after universities in Nigeria, particularly in aerospace and aviation-related disciplines. He attributed this growing reputation to the institution’s culture of discipline, commitment to academic excellence, and uninterrupted academic calendar, noting that AFIT’s zero tolerance for strike actions has significantly enhanced its appeal to students seeking stable and high-quality technical education.
“Through sustained collaboration with TETFund, AFIT has grown into a multidisciplinary centre of excellence producing highly skilled manpower for Nigeria’s aviation, aerospace, and defence sectors,” he stated.
Air Marshal Aneke further noted that there remain additional areas where TETFund’s continued support could strengthen AFIT’s capacity for research, innovation, and manpower development, particularly in emerging technological fields.
He also highlighted opportunities for the Fund’s intervention in the Nigerian Air Force College of Nursing and the Nigerian Air Force School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine, especially in areas of infrastructure development and academic capacity building aimed at strengthening the nation’s healthcare manpower base.
Responding, the Executive Secretary of TETFund commended the Nigerian Air Force for its commitment to academic excellence and national capacity development, noting that AFIT’s progress reflects the impact of sustained collaboration between both institutions.
He reaffirmed the Fund’s readiness to continue supporting initiatives that promote research, innovation, and human capital development in line with its mandate to strengthen tertiary education in Nigeria.
