Education

AFIT Matriculates 1,204 Students, Charges Them on Excellence & Integrity

By Web News 363

By Usman Sani (Kaduna)

The Air Force Institute of Technology, AFIT, has held its eighth joint matriculation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic session, formally admitting 1,204 new diploma and degree students.

The Director-General of the Air Force Research and Development Institute in Osogbo, Air Vice Marshal Adebayo Kehinde, addressed the students as the event’s Guest of Honour.

AVM Kehinde stated that AFIT occupies a special place in Nigeria’s defence and educational architecture, serving as the intellectual and technological engine room for the Nigerian Air Force.

AFIT Provost, Professor Auwal Kasim, addressing the students.
The Director-General, Airforce Research and Development Institute, Osogbo, Air Vice Marshal Adebayo Kehinde
Deputy Commandant, AFIT, Air Vice Marshall Albert Bot, representing the Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Sani Rabe, speaking at the event.

“AFIT has evolved, over the years, into a centre of excellence in aerospace engineering, avionics, aircraft maintenance, materials science, cyber technology and allied disciplines,” he said.

He described the institute as a strategic asset that sustains the NAF’s operational effectiveness and contributes to national technological self-reliance.

AVM Kehinde charged the students to approach their studies with seriousness and enthusiasm, reminding them, “You are being trained to contribute to the safety, security and prosperity of Nigeria.”

The Commandant of AFIT, Air Vice Marshal Sani Rabe, delivered a welcome address through his deputy, AVM Albert Bot.

He charged the students to be of good conduct and refrain from any acts that could bring disrepute to the institute or their families.

The Commandant disclosed that AFIT, in collaboration with the EFCC, maintains a robust monitoring mechanism to deter and detect cybercrime.

The Provost of the institute, Professor Auwal Kasim, explained that AFIT’s academic programs are tailored to prepare students for contemporary challenges.

He urged them to align with the NAF’s core values: “integrity first, service before self and excellence in all they do.”

Professor Kasim added that the ceremony underscored the institute’s commitment to sustaining synergy between military training and academic excellence.

AFIT is a hybrid institution regulated by the National Universities Commission, NUC, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the Nigerian Air Force, and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA.

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Lifestyle

Nigerian Airforce Gets First Serving Professor

By Web News 184 2

By Usman Sani (Abuja)

The Governing Council of the Air Force Institute of Technology, AFIT, has approved the appointment of Air Vice Marshal Osichinaka Chiedu Ubadike as Professor of Aerospace Engineering, making him the first-ever serving officer to be conferred the rank of professor.

In a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, says Air Vice Marshal Osichinaka Ubadike is an accomplished scholar and military professional, with a PhD and Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering and Aerospace Vehicle Design from Cranfield University in the United Kingdom.

He also possesses three other Masters degrees from ABU Zaria and a first-class Bachelor of Electrical Electronics degree from the Nigeria Defence Academy, NDA.

The statement notes that Air Vice Marshal Ubadike has led several cutting-edge research initiatives within the NAF, including his pivotal role in the development of the indigenous NAF unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV.

In a related development, the governing council also confirmed the appointment of Air Vice Marshal Paul Jemitola (Rtd) as a Professor of Aerospace Engineering.

Professor Jemitola, the immediate past Commandant of AFIT, is an expert in multidisciplinary and multi-objective aircraft design optimization.

He holds a Master’s degree and a PhD from Cranfield University and was a lead designer of the NAF UAV project.

Professor Jemitola is a chartered engineer in the United Kingdom and currently serves as the acting Vice Chancellor of Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management in Lagos.

According to the statement, the conferment of the professorial rank is a testament to the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, who has prioritized technological advancement through education, capacity-building and R&D.

It adds that the approach reaffirms the Air Force’s commitment to academic excellence and R&D to cultivate homegrown expertise capable of meeting evolving national security and aerospace challenges.

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