ORONSAYE REPORT: OBJECTIONS ARISE OVER FG’S PLAN TO CONSOLIDATE AFIT WITH NDA

There is increasing apprehension surrounding the decision to integrate the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) with the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), as suggested by the Oronsaye panel report.

On February 27, 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved the implementation of the report, which proposed the elimination of certain government agencies and institutions to reduce expenses and enhance efficiency.

According to the report, one of the recommendations is the merger of the Nigerian Army University (NAUB) and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

Professor Kabir Bala, the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, addressed the decision as a policy matter during an interview at the 7th Matriculation Ceremony of AFIT. He noted that concerns have been raised regarding the fact that the AFIT and NAUB Act came after the Oronsaye report. Bala expressed the need to wait and observe how the government would resolve this issue.

Air Vice Marshal Sani Rabe, the Commandant of AFIT, expressed his belief that those making the recommendation may not be well-informed about the workings of AFIT. He emphasized that the institution was initially established to provide training for Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel in logistics, armament, aircraft maintenance, and communication. However, it was later opened to the public to allow civilians to benefit from the available facilities.

Maryam Ahmadu-Suka, Kaduna; From the News Source: DailyTrust