By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has called for expanded intervention from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to further strengthen research, innovation and human capital development at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT).
Air Marshal Aneke made the appeal on 10 March 2026 during a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of TETFund, where he expressed the Nigerian Air Force’s deep appreciation for the Fund’s sustained interventions in the institution.
The Air Chief commended the leadership of TETFund for initiatives that continue to strengthen Nigeria’s tertiary education system, noting that the agency has remained a critical driver of institutional development and national capacity building.
According to him, TETFund has been a long-standing strategic partner to the Nigerian Air Force, with its interventions at AFIT significantly enhancing the institute’s ability to fulfil its mandate as the Service’s premier technical training institution.
“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,” he said.
Air Marshal Aneke highlighted the far-reaching impact of TETFund’s support to AFIT, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, research funding and academic capacity building.
He disclosed that through the Fund’s interventions, the institution has benefited from the construction of several key facilities, including the Faculties of Ground and Communication Equipment as well as Management Sciences, a Cyber Security building, multi-user laboratories, offices and accommodation blocks.
Other areas of support include information and communication technology development, expansion of the institute’s library facilities, and the introduction of entrepreneurship programmes designed to equip students with innovative skills.
The Chief of the Air Staff noted that AFIT has steadily evolved into one of the most sought-after universities in Nigeria, particularly in aerospace and aviation-related disciplines.
He attributed the institute’s growing reputation to its culture of discipline, strong commitment to academic excellence and uninterrupted academic calendar, noting that the institution’s zero tolerance for strike actions has 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,” the Air Chief added.
Air Marshal Aneke further pointed out that additional opportunities exist for deeper collaboration between both institutions, particularly in emerging technological fields that could further enhance AFIT’s research capacity and innovation output.
He also highlighted potential areas of intervention for TETFund in other Nigerian Air Force educational institutions, including the Nigerian Air Force College of Nursing and the Nigerian Air Force School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine.
According to him, expanded support in infrastructure development and academic capacity building in these institutions would significantly strengthen the nation’s healthcare manpower base.
Responding, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund commended the Nigerian Air Force for its unwavering commitment to academic excellence and national capacity development.
He noted that the progress recorded by AFIT over the years reflects the positive impact of sustained collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force and TETFund.
The Executive Secretary also reaffirmed the Fund’s readiness to continue supporting initiatives that promote research, innovation and human capital development in line with its statutory mandate to strengthen tertiary education across Nigeria.
