The announcement was made in a statement released on Sunday by the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, in Abuja. He emphasized that this appointment represents a significant milestone for the NAF and provides a substantial boost to its ongoing research and development endeavors.
Air Commodore Ejodame highlighted AVM Ubadike's impressive academic and professional background, noting that he holds a PhD and Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering and Aerospace Vehicle Design from the renowned Cranfield University in the United Kingdom. His academic portfolio also includes three additional Master's degrees earned from Ahmadu Bello University and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), alongside a First-Class Bachelor of Electrical Electronics Engineering degree from the NDA.
Furthermore, AVM Ubadike has been at the forefront of several cutting-edge research initiatives within the NAF. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the development of the indigenous NAF Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), a project that Air Commodore Ejodame stated "demonstrates the Air Force’s expanding technical capabilities and strategic independence."
In addition to this historic appointment, the AFIT Governing Council also confirmed the appointment of retired AVM Paul Jemitola as a Professor of Aerospace Engineering. AVM Jemitola, the immediate past Commandant of AFIT, is highly regarded for his extensive expertise in multidisciplinary and multi-objective aircraft design optimization.
Air Commodore Ejodame noted that Professor Jemitola also holds a Master’s degree and PhD from Cranfield University and served as the lead designer of the NAF UAV project. He is a chartered engineer in the United Kingdom and currently holds the position of Acting Vice Chancellor at Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos.
The NAF spokesperson emphasized that the conferment of these professorships is a direct testament to the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, who has prioritized technological advancement within the Air Force through education, capacity-building, and robust Research and Development (R&D) programs.
Air Commodore Ejodame quoted the CAS as stating, “We will continue to invest in the empowerment of our flagship training and capacity development institutions to progressively minimise dependence on foreign expertise”.
He concluded by affirming that this strategic approach underscores the NAF’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence and R&D, with the aim of cultivating homegrown expertise capable of effectively addressing evolving national security challenges and the dynamic landscape of aerospace technology.