The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has said that the NAF remains resolute in its commitment to leveraging technical education as a vehicle to develop and sustain the critical mass of highly skilled manpower needed to secure Nigeria’s airspace, territory and people.
He made this known on Wednesday, 25 September 2024, at the Graduation Ceremony of 432 officers, airmen and airwomen from Sundry Military Courses at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna.
Air Marshal Abubakar highlighted AFIT’s crucial role in enhancing the technical capabilities of the Service emphasizing that the AFIT graduates are central to the NAF’s strategy in adapting to a technologically evolving defence landscape.
On the significance of technical education, the CAS observed that AFIT’s commitment to developing top-tier human capital equips graduates to tackle critical challenges, not only for Nigeria but also for allied African nations. ”
“AFIT’s dedication to producing technically proficient graduates is essential for ensuring operational efficiency and self-sufficiency,” he said, praising the Institute’s shift toward practical-oriented learning and hands-on training.
He added that this approach supports the NAF’s ongoing fleet modernization efforts and reduces reliance on foreign technical training, conserving national resources.
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Air Marshal Abubakar also stated that the knowledge acquired by the graduates will be crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of newly acquired aircraft.
He revealed that the NAF has recently acquired 12 new aircraft, with an additional 50 expected in the near future – an unprecedented development in recent times.
He also discussed the Service’s predictive maintenance culture and the importance of Research and Development (R&D), encouraging graduates to contribute to the advancement of indigenous military manufacturing.
The CAS expressed deep gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for the NAF, and indeed the Armed Forces of Nigeria as a whole, and to the AFIT Governing Council for their oversight, which has been instrumental in steering the Institute to its current successes.
In his welcome remarks, Air Vice Marshal Sani Rabe, Commandant of AFIT, reiterated the Institute’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality technical and logistics training to meet the manpower needs of the NAF.
The Commandant also addressed the institution’s expansion efforts and the continuous improvement of training quality while tackling critical challenges facing AFIT.
The ceremony celebrated AFIT’s legacy as a multi-disciplinary centre of excellence, established in 1977, dedicated to equipping the aviation, aerospace and defence sectors with skilled personnel.
The Commandant and his team received commendations for their dedication to overcoming institutional challenges and promoting staff training and certification in line with the National Skill Qualification Framework.
The event, attended by dignitaries and families, marked a proud moment for the NAF as it continues to enhance its technical capabilities through the development of its human capital.
