TETFund pledges renewed support to NAF institutions
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) educational institutions are set to receive renewed support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) as part of efforts to strengthen tertiary education and technical training in the country.
This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, during a courtesy visit by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, to the Fund’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
The visit was aimed at reinforcing collaboration between both institutions and exploring new areas of partnership that would further enhance the capacity of Nigerian Air Force-owned tertiary institutions.
Speaking during the meeting, Air Marshal Aneke expressed appreciation to Echono and the TETFund management for the warm reception accorded to him and his delegation.
He commended the Fund for its longstanding interventions in the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and other educational initiatives that have significantly strengthened technical and academic training within the Air Force.
“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,” the Air Chief said.
Drawing from his personal experience, Aneke recalled his time as Director of Studies at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), where he had first-hand exposure to TETFund-supported facilities.
“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 noted.
Aneke said TETFund’s presence in tertiary institutions across the country is widely recognised, with its logo often symbolising quality infrastructure and academic development.
“The Nigerian Air Force holds TETFund in a 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.”
Aneke observed that over the years, TETFund has built a reputation as a driver of academic excellence, research innovation and human capital development.
He highlighted the impact of the Fund’s interventions at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), describing them as instrumental in strengthening the institution’s capacity to deliver quality technical training.
He said the support received by AFIT has helped the institution grow into a leading centre for aviation and aerospace studies in Nigeria.
Reflecting on AFIT’s development over the past 48 years, he described the institution as a multidisciplinary centre of excellence that produces highly skilled manpower for Nigeria’s aviation, aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that when he first encountered the institution in the mid-1990s, its facilities and programmes were still evolving, but today AFIT has grown significantly and is widely regarded as one of the most sought-after institutions for aviation-related education.
“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,” he said.
The Air Chief said TETFund’s infrastructure interventions, including modern laboratories and student hostels, have contributed to creating an environment that enables students and faculty members to thrive without disruptions.
He also highlighted the role of the Nigerian Air Force College of Nursing, which operates alongside the School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine.
He said the college provides specialised training in nursing and healthcare services and is regulated by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
The air chief noted that strengthening healthcare training within the Air Force not only benefits military operations but also contributes to the broader national healthcare system.
He therefore sought additional support from TETFund to expand critical facilities and research capabilities within Air Force institutions.
Among the requests presented to the Fund was the establishment of an artificial intelligence and robotics laboratory at AFIT to advance research and innovation in emerging technologies relevant to aerospace and defence.
The Air Chief also proposed the construction of a five-kilometre perimeter security fence equipped with smart surveillance systems to enhance the safety of facilities and personnel at the institution.
In addition, he requested assistance for the development of residential accommodation for both teaching and non-teaching staff as part of efforts to improve staff welfare and attract skilled professionals.
“Our Aviation Medicine School is critical to operations across the entire spectrum of the force,” Aneke added.
Responding, Echono acknowledged the crucial role played by the Nigerian Air Force in safeguarding the nation and creating the secure environment necessary for education and development to thrive.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, describing him as a fine officer whose leadership would ensure continuity and excellence in the service.
Echono noted that the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces often go unnoticed by the public.
“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.
The TETFund boss reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to supporting AFIT and other beneficiary institutions through strategic interventions aimed at improving teaching, learning and research infrastructure.
He disclosed that support for staff accommodation and other infrastructure at AFIT had already been captured in TETFund’s intervention plans for the year.
Echono also explained that the Fund’s initiatives extend beyond infrastructure development to improving the overall learning environment in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
He. said AFIT has emerged as one of the country’s most attractive institutions for specialised education due to its disciplined academic environment and reliable academic calendar.
He further noted that TETFund is currently expanding support to teaching hospitals and faculties of medicine, pharmacy, nursing and dentistry across Nigerian universities as part of a broader initiative to strengthen healthcare education.
Echono said the Fund’s long-term goal is to develop tertiary institutions capable of attracting foreign students and enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness in higher education.
While acknowledging that standalone schools of nursing fall outside TETFund’s current mandate, he assured the Air Chief that programmes within universities, particularly aviation medicine and related fields, would receive the necessary support.
He pledged to present the requests made by the Nigerian Air Force to the TETFund Board of Trustees and explore ways to accommodate them under existing intervention frameworks.
“We will continue to provide the environment for proper teaching and learning and improve the global competitiveness of our tertiary institutions.”
He added that the Fund is currently implementing a major hostel accommodation intervention across not fewer than 100 tertiary institutions nationwide in line with the Federal Government’s directive to improve students’ learning conditions.