The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has been recognized as the fastest-growing tertiary institution in Nigeria in terms of national spread, according to the July 2024 edition of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) weekly publication, JAMBulletin.
According to Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet , AFIT secured the top position among 74 universities for having the highest national spread across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, underscoring its reputation as Nigeria’s premier aerospace institution for higher learning.
In the same publication, AFIT was also lauded for its adherence to JAMB’s admission guidelines, earning the second position for maintaining excellence and transparency in its admission processes. This recognition highlights AFIT’s dedication to providing equal and unbiased opportunities to students nationwide.
The increasing demand for admission into AFIT can be attributed to its technical teaching staff, well-equipped laboratories, zero-tolerance policy for strikes, affordable tuition, and well-motivated academic and non-academic staff. The institute’s academic calendar, aligned from January to September annually, meets global standards. Notably, the top candidate in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination selected AFIT as their first-choice university to pursue a Bachelor of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering.
Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), commended AFIT’s achievements, noting that the institution’s rapid growth and accomplishments reflect its unwavering commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and national development. “As the institution continues to soar to new heights, it is poised to play an increasingly important role in shaping Nigeria’s future,” he said. He urged the management and staff to build on these accomplishments and strive towards becoming a world-class institution renowned for academic excellence, innovation, and research.
Established in 1977 as a diploma-awarding Technical and Supply School, later renamed the Technical Training Group, AFIT supports the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) through technical and engineering manpower training. Renamed AFIT in 2008, it began offering degree programs in 2017, making it the only institution in Nigeria to offer both diploma and degree programs concurrently. Currently, AFIT has a student strength of 7,584, including 537 military personnel undergoing various technical and engineering courses.
AFIT’s recent achievements argue against subsuming it under the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). Its unique strengths and specialized focus on aerospace engineering and related fields make such a merger counterproductive to the growth of Nigeria’s aerospace industry. AFIT’s contributions to Nigeria’s aerospace landscape and technological advancement warrant its continued independence.
