By Victor Akaa.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has made history with the appointment of Air Vice Marshal OC Ubadike as its first-ever serving Professor of Aerospace Engineering.
According to the Director of Public Relations and Information,NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the milestone achievement marks a significant boost to the NAF’s research and development (R&D) endeavours and underscores its commitment to academic excellence.
The statement noted that Air Vice Marshal Ubadike is a highly accomplished scholar and military professional, and holds impressive academic credentials, including a PhD and Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Cranfield University in the United Kingdom.
He has led several cutting-edge research initiatives, including the development of the indigenous NAF Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), a testament to the Air Force’s expanding technical capabilities and strategic independence.
Air Commodore Ejodame noted that the NAF Governing Council also confirmed the appointment of Air Vice Marshal Paul Jemitola (rtd) as Professor of Aerospace Engineering, a renowned expert in multidisciplinary and multi-objective aircraft design optimisation. Air Vice Marshal Jemitola (rtd) holds a Master’s Degree and PhD from Cranfield University and was the lead designer of the NAF UAV project.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, emphasised the NAF’s commitment to technological advancement through education, capacity-building, and R&D. “We will continue to invest in the empowerment of our flagship training and capacity development institutions to progressively minimize dependence on foreign expertise.”
This achievement reaffirms the NAF’s dedication to cultivating homegrown expertise capable of meeting evolving national security and aerospace challenges. With these appointments, the NAF sets a new standard for innovation and excellence in the region.
