The Nigerian Air Force has reaffirmed its commitment to national development and strengthened civil–military cooperation through the execution and commissioning of several Chief of Air Staff Special Intervention Projects across Kwara State.
Undertaken under the directive of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, the projects reflect the Services resolve to support education, research advancement, and community welfare as strategic pillars of national security.
The interventions, coordinated and facilitated by Air Vice Marshal Lanre Ibrahim Oluwatoyin (rtd), were delivered in two major clusters: an Advanced Space Composite Laboratory at the University of Ilorin and critical education infrastructure upgrades at JNI College, Babanloma.
The Advanced Space Composite Laboratory, developed through a technical collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force and the National Space Research and Development Agency, is a state-of-the-art centre for space science, composite materials research, and applied aerospace innovation.
The facility will serve as a national hub for training, experimentation, and industry-focused research, expanding Nigeria’s capacity to harness space technologies for economic development, defence readiness, and scientific advancement.
To enhance access to the new laboratory, the Service also constructed a 700-metre tarred access road, improving mobility for students, researchers, and residents of the surrounding community.
The second cluster of interventions focused on foundational education in Babanloma, where the Nigerian Air Force delivered substantial upgrades to improve learning outcomes and community welfare.
These included the construction and full furnishing of a modern nursery and primary school complex at JNI College, the refurbishment and ICT upgrade of the school’s solar-powered digital learning centre, and the renovation and equipping of the Corpers’ Lodge for National Youth Service Corps members posted to the community.
Collectively, the projects aim to strengthen early childhood education, promote digital literacy, and enhance the learning environment for pupils and teachers.
Commissioning of the Advanced Space Composite Laboratory took place on 25 November 2025, followed by the unveiling of the Babanloma school and community projects on 26 November 2025.
Both events were planned and executed by the Civil-Military Relations Branch in fulfilment of its mandate to implement Special Intervention Programmes nationwide.
At Babanloma, the Governor of Kwara State, represented by members of the State Cabinet, served as Special Guest of Honour, alongside the Loma of Babanloma and his Council of Chiefs.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, said the projects reflect the Nigerian Air Force’s growing emphasis on non-kinetic operations aimed at fostering trust, strengthening partnerships, and uplifting host communities.
He stated that the interventions align with the Chief of the Air Staff’s vision of leveraging education, innovation, and community engagement as complementary pillars of airpower and national resilience.
Support Government Initiatives
He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to supporting Federal Government initiatives in science, technology, and grassroots development.
In his remarks, AVM Lanre Ibrahim Oluwatoyin (rtd) expressed gratitude for the opportunity to facilitate the projects in honour of his service and family legacy.
He thanked the Chief of the Air Staff for the trust reposed in him and commended all stakeholders whose efforts ensured the timely and high-quality execution of the interventions.
Community leaders and beneficiaries described the projects as transformative, noting that they will enhance learning outcomes, improve welfare, and strengthen bonds between the military and civilian populations.
The Civil-Military Relations Branch concluded that sustaining such initiatives for deserving senior officers nationwide will continue to yield far-reaching benefits for national development and civil–military cooperation.
PIAK