Chidimma Uchegbu
The Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Arch . Sonny Echono has said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) educational institutions are set to benefit from a fresh wave of support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
The Executive Secretary made this statement during the visit of Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke to the TETFUND headquarters in Àbuja saying that their visit was aimed at renewing a partnership to strengthen the nation’s tertiary education system, particularly within Nigerian Air Force (NAF) institutions.
Air Marshal Aneke speaking during the visit expressed profound appreciation to the TETFund Executive Secretary, Arch. Echono, for personally receiving him and his delegation.
The Air Chief commended the warm reception by the TETFund team and acknowledged the fund’s long-standing support for the Nigerian Air Force, particularly in enhancing 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.
He said TETFund’s influence often precedes its presence at institutions, with its logo symbolising quality education and development. According to him, the organisation is more than a federal parastatal but a strategic partner in 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.
The Air Chief noted that TETFund has consistently strengthened its reputation as a driver of academic excellence, research innovation and human capital development.
According to him, over the years, TETFund’s interventions in the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) have been particularly impactful.
Aneke noted that the support received has enhanced AFIT’s capacity to deliver quality technical training and contribute to national development.
The visit, he said, was also to convey appreciation for past support and explore ways to deepen the partnership beyond aerospace and defence, particularly into the health sector.
Highlighting AFIT’s evolution over 48 years, Aneke described the institution as a multidisciplinary centre of excellence producing highly skilled manpower for Nigeria’s aviation, aerospace and defence sectors.
Reflecting on his early experiences at AFIT in the mid-1990s, he observed that the institution has grown significantly and benefited immensely from TETFund’s support.
“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 credited TETFund’s interventions for creating an enabling environment where students and faculty can thrive without disruptions. From fully equipped laboratories to modern hostels, TETFund’s contributions have been integral to the institution’s success.
The Air Chief also drew attention to the Nigerian Air Force College of Nursing, which operates alongside the School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine. The college, he said, provides specialised training in nursing and healthcare services regulated by the National Board for Technical Education and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
Aneke further emphasised that TETFund’s support in infrastructure development and academic capacity building strengthens not only NAF institutions but also the broader healthcare system, ensuring the production of skilled personnel who serve both military and civilian needs.
Acknowledging TETFund’s ongoing contributions, Aneke outlined key requests for further support. He proposed the establishment of an artificial intelligence and robotics laboratory at AFIT to advance research and innovation in emerging technologies critical for aerospace and defence.
He also sought assistance for the construction of a five-kilometre perimeter security fence with integrated smart surveillance systems, alongside residential accommodation for teaching and non-teaching staff to enhance welfare and retain talent.
“Our Aviation Medicine School is critical to operations across the entire spectrum of the force,” Aneke said.
Responding, Echono emphasised the strategic importance of the Nigerian Air Force in both national security and education.
He also stated the often overlooked sacrifices made by men and women in uniform, while commending President Bola Tinubu for appointing Aneke, describing him as a fine officer and gentleman whose leadership promises continuity in excellence.
“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.
Reaffirming TETFund’s commitment, Echono assured the Air Chief that interventions in AFIT, including staff accommodation and infrastructure, are already planned for this year.
He emphasised that TETFund’s support extends beyond physical facilities to improving the overall teaching and learning environment, ensuring institutions produce graduates equipped 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 also noted that TETFund is actively enhancing teaching hospitals and faculties of medicine, pharmacy, nursing and dentistry as part of a broader initiative to improve healthcare education nationwide.
The Executive Secretary reiterated that TETFund’s interventions aim to create environments capable of attracting foreign students, thereby internationalising Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape.
He also pledged to prioritise requests from the Air Force, particularly in aviation medicine, to ensure facilities are upgraded to 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.
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