The President, African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, Professor Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Chief
of Air Staff, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at the
Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja.

The visit provided an opportunity for AUST to explore areas of strategic partnership with the Nigerian Air Force as well as to congratulate Air Marshal Aneke on his
appointment as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff.

At the visit, AUST President highlighted the University’s numerous expertise in
science, engineering, technology and policy-related disciplines, noting the strong
alignment between several of its academic programmes and the training and
operational needs of the Nigerian Air Force.

Particular areas of interest discussed included Geo
informatics/GIS, Civil Engineering, Space Physics, Public Policy and other
technology-driven programmes.

Prof. Onwualu also proposed the development of S.K Aneke Policy, ICT and
Aviation Institute at AUST, as well as opportunities for the Nigerian Air Force to
leverage the University’s facilities and expertise for professional training, short
courses and professional diploma programmes.

These opportunities he stressed would create new windows of training and
development for both serving personnel and retired members of the Nigerian Air
Force.

He further expressed the University’s readiness in exploring scholarships for
deserving personnel of the Nigerian Air Force and their dependants, as part of a
broader framework for institutional collaboration.

Responding, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday .K. Aneke, warmly
welcomed the initiative and expressed his appreciation for the visit.

He noted that the University’s programmes and practical orientation align with the
needs of the Nigerian Air Force and described the proposed collaboration as a
potentially strategic partnership, particularly given the proximity of AUST to the
Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force.

Aneke stated that the partnership could provide opportunities for NAF personnel to
access relevant academic and professional training locally, reducing the need to travel
abroad for some specialised programmes.

The Chief of Air Staff expressed confidence that AUST’s academic and practical
capabilities could complement the training needs of the Service. He gave further
directives to relevant Branch Chiefs within the Nigerian Air Force, including those
responsible for training, communications, transformation and innovation, to engage
with the AUST team towards developing a framework for the proposed partnership.

The visit heralded a major window of collaboration as both institutions expressed optimism
about the opportunities presented by the proposed partnership and their commitment
in furthering discussions towards a mutually beneficial relationship.