By Felix Khanoba
Nigerian Air Force (NAF) educational institutions are set to receive a new round of support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) following renewed collaboration between both organisations.
This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arch. Sonny Echono, after the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, visited the Fund’s headquarters on Tuesday.
The visit was aimed at strengthening an existing partnership focused on advancing Nigeria’s tertiary education system, particularly within institutions run by the Nigerian Air Force.
During the meeting, Air Marshal Aneke expressed deep appreciation to the TETFund Executive Secretary, Arch. Echono, for personally welcoming him and his delegation.
He also commended the warm reception by the TETFund team and acknowledged the organisation’s longstanding support for the Nigerian Air Force, especially in improving technical and academic training.
“It is indeed a great pleasure for me and members of my delegation to be here today at the headquarters of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
“Having served first-hand as the Director of Studies at NDA and having seen the funds, buildings and infrastructure that the Fund had provided, I got a second impression about your organisation,” he said.
According to the Air Chief, the influence of TETFund is often visible even before its representatives arrive at institutions, with its logo symbolising quality education and development. He described the Fund as not just a federal parastatal but a critical partner in Nigeria’s national development.
“The Nigerian Air Force holds TETFund in very high esteem, not only as a federal government parastatal but as an organisation that plays a pivotal role in shaping the foundation of our national development through its unwavering support for tertiary education in Nigeria,” he said.
Aneke added that TETFund has continued to build a strong reputation for driving academic excellence, research innovation and human capital development.
He noted that interventions by the Fund in the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) have had a particularly significant impact over the years.
According to him, the support has strengthened AFIT’s ability to deliver quality technical training while contributing to national development.
The Air Chief explained that the visit was also intended to convey appreciation for past assistance and explore ways of expanding collaboration beyond aerospace and defence into areas such as healthcare.
Highlighting the growth of AFIT over the last 48 years, Aneke described the institution as a multidisciplinary centre of excellence that produces highly skilled professionals for Nigeria’s aviation, aerospace and defence sectors.
Reflecting on his experiences at AFIT in the mid-1990s, he observed that the institution has undergone remarkable transformation and has benefited significantly from TETFund’s interventions.
“AFIT has become one of the most sought-after institutions of higher learning in Nigeria for aviation-related studies, owing to its reputation for academic excellence, strict discipline and zero tolerance for strikes,” Aneke said.
He attributed the institution’s progress partly to TETFund’s interventions, which have helped create an environment where both students and faculty can operate without disruptions. Facilities ranging from fully equipped laboratories to modern hostels have played an important role in AFIT’s growth.
The Air Chief also emphasized the Nigerian Air Force College of Nursing, which operates alongside the School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine. He explained that the college provides specialised training in nursing and healthcare services regulated by the National Board for Technical Education and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
According to him, TETFund’s investment in infrastructure and academic capacity development strengthens not only NAF institutions but also the country’s healthcare system by producing skilled professionals who serve both military and civilian communities.
While acknowledging the Fund’s ongoing support, Aneke outlined several requests for further assistance. Among them was the establishment of an artificial intelligence and robotics laboratory at AFIT to advance research and innovation in emerging technologies vital to aerospace and defence.
He also sought support for the construction of a five-kilometre perimeter security fence equipped with smart surveillance systems, as well as residential accommodation for teaching and non-teaching staff to improve welfare and talent retention.
“Our Aviation Medicine School is critical to operations across the entire spectrum of the force,” Aneke said.
Responding, Echono emphasised the strategic role played by the Nigerian Air Force in safeguarding national security while also contributing to education.
He noted that the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces often go unnoticed and commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Aneke, whom he described as a fine officer and gentleman capable of sustaining excellence in leadership.
“Very often, we do not know or talk about what happens that allows us to sleep in our homes. It is only when there is an incident that we remember the presence of the armed forces,” he said.
Echono reaffirmed TETFund’s commitment to supporting AFIT, revealing that interventions including staff accommodation and other infrastructure projects are already scheduled for this year.
He stressed that the Fund’s support is not limited to physical facilities but also aims to improve the overall teaching and learning environment so that institutions can produce graduates with both knowledge and discipline.
“AFIT is now one of the most sought-after institutions in the country, offering guaranteed quality of faculty, timely completion of programmes and disciplined learning,” Echono said.
He further disclosed that TETFund is strengthening teaching hospitals and faculties of medicine, pharmacy, nursing and dentistry as part of broader efforts to improve healthcare education across Nigeria.
According to him, the Fund’s interventions are designed to create world-class learning environments capable of attracting foreign students and internationalising Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Echono also pledged to prioritise requests from the Air Force, especially those related to aviation medicine, to ensure that facilities meet both military and civilian needs.
“So I pledge to you that I will make a special case to the Board of Trustees. The minister is already a convert, not just because he is a medical doctor. I will make a special case to the Board of Trustees. Under the presidential initiative on providing equipment and facilities for medical establishments and related fields, we will create something.
“Because we believe that whenever there is a will, there is always a way to make it happen. While we deeply appreciate the fact that you are also helping to improve the number of nurses that we produce, unfortunately nursing is outside the current mandate of TETFund because it is seen as a monotechnic.
“It is only when they are within our beneficiary institutions and universities that we support them. But where the schools of nursing themselves are outside our current scope, it becomes difficult. However, when we talk about aviation medicine and related programmes within the university system, then we can look at it.
“But I want to assure you again that you will find in us worthy partners. We will continue to provide the environment for proper teaching and learning. We will continue to improve the global competitiveness of our tertiary institutions.
“We also want to improve the learning experience of our students in our various institutions of learning. It is a cardinal programme of Mr President. That is why this year and last year we are intervening in hostel accommodation in not less than 100 institutions across the country,” Echono added.
