The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recently seen a boost in its technical manpower with the graduation of 628 personnel from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT).
The graduation ceremony was held on September 9, 2023, and was attended by senior military officers, government dignitaries, and traditional rulers.
In his speech at the ceremony, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, highlighted the importance of the technical programmes offered by AFIT in enhancing the skills and capacity of NAF personnel. He noted that these programmes have contributed to the NAF’s self-reliance in terms of platform and equipment maintenance, leading to cost savings and the conservation of foreign exchange.
Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized the significance of professional competencies in ensuring optimal aircraft serviceability and availability, particularly in addressing the current security challenges in Nigeria. He stated that criminal elements would no longer be treated with leniency and that the NAF would continue its efforts until they are brought to justice.
The CAS also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support to the Armed Forces and the NAF, which has contributed to the operational successes achieved.
According to the Director of Public Relations and Information, , Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the 628 graduands consisted of 37 officers who completed the Initial Officers’ Course and 591 airmen/airwomen who completed various Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Upgrading courses.
The Commandant of AFIT, Air Vice Marshal Sani Rabe, highlighted that the institute also trains personnel from sister African countries, with four officers from the Ghana Air Force and three airmen from the Tanzanian Air Force among the graduating students.
AFIT has been serving the technical and logistics training needs of the NAF since its establishment in 1977. It has undergone various stages of upgrades and accreditations, culminating in the accreditation by the National Universities Commission as a full-fledged degree-awarding institution open to students from across Nigeria and abroad.
