The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to national development and strengthened civil–military cooperation with the successful execution and commissioning of a series of CAS Special Intervention Projects (SIP) across Kwara State.
Undertaken under the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the projects reflect the Service’s resolve to support education, research advancement, and community welfare as strategic enablers of national security.
The interventions, coordinated and facilitated by Air Vice Marshal Lanre Ibrahim Oluwatoyin (rtd), were executed in honour of the senior officer within his host communities and 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.
The ASCO LAB, developed through a technical collaboration between NAF and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), stands as a state-of-the-art centre for space science, composite materials research, and applied aerospace innovation.
The facility will serve as a national hub for training, experimentation, and industry-relevant research, thereby expanding Nigeria’s capacity to harness space technologies for economic development, defence readiness, and scientific advancement.
To enhance accessibility to the new laboratory, the Service also constructed a 700-metre tarred access road, providing improved mobility for students, researchers, and residents of the surrounding community.
The second phase of the CAS Special Intervention Projects focused on foundational education in Babanloma, where the NAF delivered substantial upgrades to improve learning outcomes and community welfare.
These included the construction and full furnishing of a modern nursery and primary school complex at JNIC, the refurbishment and ICT upgrade of the school’s digital learning centre powered by solar energy, and the renovation and equipping of the Corpers’ Lodge for the benefit of National Youth Service Corps members posted to the community. Collectively, these projects aim to strengthen early childhood education, enhance digital literacy, and promote a conducive environment for academic and social development.
Commissioning of the ASCO LAB took place on 25 November 2025, followed by the unveiling of the Babanloma school and community projects on 26 November 2025.
Both events were planned and executed by the Civil-Military Relations (CMR) Branch in fulfilment of its mandate to implement CAS Special Intervention Programmes nationwide. Dignitaries in attendance included the Honourable Minister of State for Defence (represented), the Chief of Defence Staff (represented by the CDSA), retired senior officers, and the Vice-Chancellor of UNILORIN alongside principal officers of the University.
At Babanloma, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, represented by members of the State Cabinet, served as Special Guest of Honour, joined by the Loma of Babanloma and his Council of Chiefs.
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, strengthening partnerships, and uplifting host communities.
He stated that the interventions align with the CAS’s vision of leveraging education, innovation, and community engagement as complementary pillars of airpower and national resilience. He reaffirmed the Service’s dedication to supporting Federal Government initiatives in science, technology, and grassroots development.
In his remarks, AVM Lanre Ibrahim Oluwatoyin (rtd) expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to facilitate the projects in honour of his service and family legacy.
He thanked the CAS for the trust reposed in him and commended all stakeholders whose commitment ensured the timely and high-quality execution of the interventions. Similarly, community leaders and beneficiaries described the projects as transformative, noting that they will significantly enhance learning outcomes, improve welfare, and strengthen the bond between the military and civilian population.
The CCMR concluded that sustaining such initiatives for deserving senior officers across the country will continue to yield far-reaching benefits for national development and civil–military cooperation.
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