From Cockpits to Classrooms: NAF’s Serving and Retired AVMs Become Professors
In a landmark development for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and its growing emphasis on research and development (R&D), the Governing Council of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has approved the appointment of two senior officers—one serving and one retired—as Professors of Aerospace Engineering.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters.
Air Vice Marshal OC Ubadike became the first-ever serving officer in the history of the NAF to be conferred with the title of Professor. Ubadike, a distinguished military engineer, holds a PhD and Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering and Aerospace Vehicle Design from Cranfield University, United Kingdom. He also possesses 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 Electronics Engineering from NDA.
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Throughout his career, AVM Ubadike has led several groundbreaking initiatives, including playing a pivotal role in the development of the indigenous Nigerian Air Force Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program—an achievement that reflects the NAF’s growing technical capabilities and pursuit of strategic autonomy.
Similarly, the Council confirmed the appointment of retired Air Vice Marshal Paul Jemitola as a Professor of Aerospace Engineering. Jemitola, who previously served as the Commandant of AFIT, is renowned for his expertise in multidisciplinary and multi-objective aircraft design optimization. A graduate of Cranfield University with a Master’s degree and PhD, Jemitola was also a lead figure in the NAF UAV project. Currently, he serves as the Acting Vice Chancellor of Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management in Lagos. He is also recognized as a chartered engineer in the United Kingdom.
Speaking on the historic appointments, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, lauded the officers’ achievements, emphasizing the NAF’s commitment to advancing indigenous technical expertise through education, training, and research.
“We will continue to invest in the empowerment of our flagship training and capacity development institutions to progressively minimise dependence on foreign expertise,” Abubakar stated.
The appointments highlight the Nigerian Air Force’s renewed focus on cultivating homegrown capabilities to meet the evolving challenges of national security and aerospace development.
By PRNigeria
