NAF Commissions Advanced Space Lab at UNILORIN, Upgrades School Infrastructure in Kwara
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to national development and civil-military cooperation with the commissioning of a series of Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Special Intervention Projects (SIP) across Kwara State.
The projects, executed in honor of retired Air Vice Marshal Lanre Ibrahim Oluwatoyin, focus on education, research, and community welfare.
The interventions were delivered in two major clusters: an Advanced Space Composite Laboratory (ASCO LAB) at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) and critical education infrastructure upgrades at JNI College (JNIC), Babanloma.
UNILORIN Gets State-of-the-Art ASCO LAB
The ASCO LAB, developed through a technical collaboration between the NAF and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), was officially commissioned on November 25, 2025.
The facility is designed to serve as a national hub for training, experimentation, and industry-relevant research in space science and composite materials. To enhance accessibility, the NAF also constructed a 700-meter tarred access road to the new laboratory.
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The second phase of the SIP focused on foundational education in Babanloma, commissioned on November 26, 2025.
The upgrades at JNIC included:
* Construction and full furnishing of a modern nursery and primary school complex.
* Refurbishment and ICT upgrade of the school’s digital learning centre, powered by solar energy.
* Renovation and equipping of the Corpers’ Lodge for National Youth Service Corps members.
NAF Reaffirms Non-Kinetic Operations
Speaking on behalf of the CAS, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, noted that the projects reflect the NAF’s growing emphasis on non-kinetic operations aimed at fostering trust and uplifting host communities.
AVM Lanre Ibrahim Oluwatoyin (rtd), who facilitated the interventions, expressed deep gratitude to the CAS for the trust reposed in him. Community leaders described the projects as transformative, noting they will significantly strengthen the bond between the military and civilian population.
The statement confirming the projects was signed by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.
By PRNigeria
