NAF, Ghana Deepen Airpower Ties as AFIT Begins 2026 Joint Training
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its mission-focused training strategy with the inauguration of the 2026 Sundry Military and Aviation Fuel Handling Courses at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna, underscoring a renewed emphasis on operational readiness and inter-service collaboration.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke—represented by the AFIT Commandant, Air Vice Marshal A.K. Ademuwagun—said the courses were deliberately structured to meet evolving operational demands. He described the initiative as a clear demonstration of the Air Force’s sustained commitment to professionalism, preparedness, and joint operations.
The training programme features participation from personnel of the Nigerian Army, alongside international students from the Ghanaian Air Force, reflecting a strengthening culture of inter-service cooperation and regional military collaboration. The development further reinforces AFIT’s growing reputation as a centre of excellence in military and aviation training beyond Nigeria.
Air Marshal Aneke noted that the 2026 courses are anchored on a revised curriculum with strong emphasis on practical, hands-on instruction aimed at bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. According to him, the objective is to produce personnel who are immediately deployable and capable of diagnosing faults, carrying out maintenance tasks, and operating effectively under supervision.
Highlighting the strategic importance of aviation fuel in air operations, he explained that the Aviation Fuel Handling and Management Course places priority on quality assurance, contamination control, and strict compliance with safety protocols. He urged participants to approach the training with discipline, intellectual curiosity, and a strong sense of responsibility, noting that their competence would directly impact operational efficiency and flight safety.
The CAS also reiterated the NAF’s broader strategy of leveraging innovation, inter-agency synergy, and international partnerships to build a self-reliant and technically proficient force. He expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for continued confidence in AFIT’s capacity to train Nigerian Army Aviation personnel.
Aneke reaffirmed AFIT’s commitment to delivering rigorous, industry-relevant training in critical areas such as fuel quality control, storage, dispensing, and safety management.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director of the Centre for Technical and Vocational Training, Group Captain O.G. Alabi, described the courses as a deliberate effort to produce technically competent and mission-ready personnel capable of addressing the complex demands of modern military operations.
By TopHeadlines