The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has lauded the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) for its role in shaping the future of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the nation at large, as 302 officers, airmen, and airwomen graduated from various military courses during a colourful ceremony in Kaduna on Wednesday, according to the Director of Public Relations and Information,Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
For nearly five decades, AFIT has been a key pillar of the NAF, producing highly skilled technical manpower, advancing research, and driving innovation in aircraft maintenance and operational readiness. Speaking at the event, Air Marshal Abubakar described AFIT as a “model of discipline, academic integrity, and technological advancement.”
“AFIT stands tall as one of the most sought-after institutions of higher learning in Nigeria, a reputation built on academic excellence, strict discipline, zero tolerance for strikes, and adherence to the principle of federal character,” he said.
“These values have firmly established it as a rallying point for technological advancement and a pillar of our national defence architecture.”
The CAS highlighted AFIT’s growing national relevance, citing the recent establishment of the NASENI North-West Technology Innovation Hub on its campus as a milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward technological sovereignty.
He also praised the Institute for its free training of personnel from the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport to support the Army Aviation Wing, describing it as a shining example of inter-service collaboration.
Addressing the graduands, Air Marshal Abubakar charged them to safeguard Nigeria’s new-generation aircraft with utmost professionalism.
“You are now custodians of these platforms, entrusted with their safety, airworthiness, and mission readiness. The Service looks to you to apply your skills with precision, innovation, and dedication, ensuring that our assets remain combat-ready at all times,” he urged.
He further encouraged the graduates to remain disciplined, embrace continuous learning, and live by the NAF’s core values of integrity, service before self, and excellence. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his “visionary leadership” and continued support for the Armed Forces, while also commending the National Assembly, Ministry of Defence, and other stakeholders for their contributions to AFIT’s growth.
Earlier in his remarks, AFIT Commandant Air Vice Marshal Sani Labaran Rabe thanked the CAS for his steadfast support, noting that AFIT had witnessed remarkable progress in infrastructure, training, and research under his leadership.
The ceremony’s highlights included the presentation of awards to outstanding graduates. In a nostalgic moment, the CAS personally handed out the prizes, recalling his own time as a student at AFIT, where he emerged the best graduating student in both the Officer Engineering Course (1992) and the Aeromechanical Department.
Families of graduands, defence stakeholders, and dignitaries attended the event, which reaffirmed AFIT’s role as a centre of excellence dedicated to strengthening Nigeria’s defence capabilities and promoting regional security.
AFIT’s legacy, built on decades of discipline and innovation, continues to position it as a vital institution for nurturing the nation’s next generation of air power professionals.
