NAF Launches Youth Empowerment Programme for Military Families, Gets FG Backing
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has launched the Chief of the Air Staff Youth Empowerment Programme (CASYEP), a landmark initiative designed to equip young people in Nigerian Air Force base communities with vocational skills, mentorship, educational support and career development opportunities.
The programme, unveiled on Thursday, July 2, 2026, received the endorsement of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, with the Minister, Ayodele Olawande, describing it as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the ministry, Anthony Chukwuka, the minister commended the Nigerian Air Force for complementing the Federal Government’s efforts to promote youth empowerment through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership development.
He urged beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity by demonstrating discipline, commitment and dedication, while assuring the Air Force of the ministry’s readiness to collaborate in expanding similar youth-focused initiatives across the country.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described CASYEP as far more than a conventional empowerment scheme.
According to him, the initiative represents “the ignition of hope, the unlocking of latent potential and a renewed commitment to the welfare of Nigerian Air Force personnel and the future of their children and families.”
Air Marshal Aneke disclosed that the programme was inspired by his personal experiences growing up in a Nigerian Air Force barracks as the son of an Air Warrant Officer, where he witnessed both the resilience of military families and the limited opportunities available to many talented young people.
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He explained that CASYEP was established to bridge those gaps through structured vocational training, mentorship, educational support and career guidance that would empower beneficiaries to become skilled, self-reliant and productive members of society.
The Air Chief noted that the initiative also supports the Federal Government’s agenda on youth empowerment and human capital development, while calling on commanders, parents and guardians to provide the necessary support to ensure its sustainability and long-term success.
Earlier, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal EK Gabkwet, welcomed participants and guests, while the Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal AA Martins, presented an overview of the programme, outlining its objectives, implementation framework and anticipated impact on beneficiaries.
Highlights of the event included the screening of a documentary on CASYEP, the maiden CASYEP Side Chat, which featured youth development experts, the formal presentation and recognition of beneficiaries, and the official inauguration of the programme by the Chief of the Air Staff.
According to the Nigerian Air Force, the initiative underscores Air Marshal Aneke’s welfare-driven leadership philosophy by investing in the children and families of Air Force personnel.
The Service noted that by providing young people with relevant skills, mentorship and opportunities for self-development, CASYEP will strengthen family resilience, nurture future leaders and contribute to national development, while reinforcing the Air Force’s commitment to building a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force through sustained investment in its personnel and their families.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the programme reflects the Nigerian Air Force’s belief that caring for its personnel extends beyond those in uniform to empowering the next generation with the tools needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.
By PRNigeria
