NAF Strengthens Civil-Military Ties with Key Kwara State Projects

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has officially reaffirmed its strong commitment to national development by aggressively strengthening its civil-military cooperation efforts. This pledge has materialized in the establishment and commissioning of several key Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Special Intervention Projects (SIP) across Kwara State.

Dependable NG reports that Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information at the Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, confirmed that these projects were executed under the direct authority of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke. The interventions reflect the Service’s strategic resolve to support education, advance research, and enhance community welfare, seeing these efforts as essential enablers of national security.

The interventions were coordinated and facilitated by retired Air Vice Marshal Lanre Ibrahim Oluwatoyin, and were delivered in two main clusters within his host communities in honor of the senior officer. These included an Advanced Space Composite Laboratory (ASCO LAB) at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) and critical education infrastructure upgrades at JNI College (JNIC) in Babanloma.

The ASCO LAB is a state-of-the-art facility developed through a technical partnership between the NAF and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). It is designed to serve as a cutting-edge center for space science, composite materials research, and applied aerospace innovation.

Speaking on behalf of the CAS, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, noted that these initiatives underscore the NAF’s increasing focus on non-kinetic operations aimed at fostering trust, strengthening partnerships, and uplifting host communities. He added that the facility will serve as a national hub for training, experimentation, and industry-relevant research, thereby boosting Nigeria’s capacity to utilize space technologies for economic development, scientific advancement, and defense readiness. To improve accessibility, the Service also constructed a new 700-meter tarred access road leading to the laboratory.

The second phase of the CAS Special Intervention Projects targeted foundational education in Babanloma, where the NAF delivered substantial upgrades to improve learning outcomes. These projects included the construction and furnishing of a modern nursery and primary school complex at JNIC, the refurbishment and ICT upgrade of the school’s digital learning center powered by solar energy, and the renovation and equipping of the Corpers’ Lodge for National Youth Service Corps members.

AVM Lanre Ibrahim Oluwatoyin (rtd) expressed his profound gratitude to the CAS for the opportunity to facilitate the projects in honor of his service and family legacy, commending all stakeholders for ensuring the high-quality and timely execution of the interventions.