In a landmark move that signals a new era for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Governing Council of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has approved the appointment of Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Osichinaka Ubadike, a serving officer, as Professor of Aerospace Engineering.
This groundbreaking announcement was contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force.
According to Ejodame, AVM Ubadike’s appointment marks the first time a serving NAF officer has been elevated to the rank of professor, a significant milestone in the force’s history. He described the achievement as a major boost to NAF’s ongoing drive toward research, development, and technological self-reliance.
AVM Ubadike is an accomplished scholar and seasoned military professional. He holds a PhD and a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering and Aerospace Vehicle Design from the prestigious Cranfield University in the United Kingdom. He also boasts three additional Master’s degrees from Ahmadu Bello University and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), along with a First-Class Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from NDA.
Throughout his career, Ubadike has spearheaded several cutting-edge research projects within the NAF. Notably, he played a pivotal role in developing the indigenous NAF Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) — a project that underscores the Air Force’s growing technical capabilities and push for strategic independence.
In the same breath, AFIT’s Governing Council also confirmed the appointment of retired AVM Paul Jemitola as a Professor of Aerospace Engineering. Prof. Jemitola, the immediate past Commandant of AFIT, is celebrated for his expertise in multidisciplinary and multi-objective aircraft design optimization. He also holds advanced degrees from Cranfield University and was the lead designer of the NAF UAV project.
Currently, Jemitola serves as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the newly established Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos, and is a chartered engineer in the United Kingdom.
The Nigerian Air Force sees these appointments as a testament to the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, who has consistently championed education, capacity building, and research and development (R&D) as pillars of the Force’s modernization efforts.
“We will continue to invest in the empowerment of our flagship training and capacity development institutions to progressively minimise dependence on foreign expertise,” the CAS stated.
A New Dawn for NAF’s Future
The appointment of Professors Ubadike and Jemitola reflects a broader strategic shift within the NAF — a move toward cultivating internal expertise, reducing foreign dependency, and fostering innovation from within.
By recognizing academic excellence and operational experience, the Air Force is reinforcing a culture where technical knowledge, homegrown research, and scientific innovation are valued as highly as combat readiness.
This bold step is expected to strengthen AFIT’s academic credibility, attract top talents into the Force, and enhance Nigeria’s aerospace capabilities in the long term. More importantly, it positions the NAF as a critical player in Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in defense technology, with ripple effects likely to be felt across the broader African aviation landscape.
Clearly, the sky is no longer the limit for the Nigerian Air Force — it is only the beginning.
