The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has announced the appointment of Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Osichinaka Ubadike, a serving officer, as Professor of Aerospace Engineering — the first in the history of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The appointment was approved by AFIT’s Governing Council and announced in a statement by NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Sunday in Abuja.
Ejodame described the appointment as a landmark achievement, significantly boosting the NAF’s research and development (R&D) capabilities.
AVM Ubadike, an accomplished academic and military professional, 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.
He has led several cutting-edge research initiatives within the NAF, including playing a pivotal role in the development of the indigenous NAF Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) project.
The Governing Council also confirmed the appointment of retired AVM Paul Jemitola as Professor of Aerospace Engineering. Prof. Jemitola, the immediate past Commandant of AFIT, is renowned for his expertise in multidisciplinary and multi-objective aircraft design optimisation.
Ejodame noted that Prof. Jemitola holds both a Master’s degree and a PhD from Cranfield University and was the lead designer of the NAF UAV project. He is currently the Acting Vice Chancellor of Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, commended the appointments, describing them as a reflection of the NAF’s commitment to academic excellence and the cultivation of homegrown expertise to meet evolving national security and aerospace challenges.
“We will continue to invest in our flagship training and capacity development institutions to progressively reduce reliance on foreign expertise,” the CAS stated.
