The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Engineer Prof Mohammed Sani Haruna and select senior staff of the Agency paid a familiarization visit to the AFIT Commandant Air Vice Marshal Paul Olugbeji Jemitola on 9 January 2023. The visit was a courtesy call on the Commandant who assumed office on 6 January 2023 as well as a follow up visit on the relocation of first made in Nigeria helicopter project to the Institute as directed by President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Mohammed Buhari (GCFR).
In his presentation, the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI said that the visit was paramount as President Buhari expects to launch the helicopter on or before May 29, 2023, which marks the end of his administration. The EVC also said that the President had expressed keen interest in the completion of works on the helicopter during NASENI’s quarterly briefing on the activities of the Agency the previous week. Accordingly, the Agency came to brief the Commandant on the modalities for the development of the site allocated for the effective take off of the newly established NASENI Development Institute; the Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute (AAVDI), located within AFIT. The team also inspected the status of work on the remodeling of the temporary office space for the Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute (AAVDI) and commencement of work on the hanger allocated to AAVDI for the Made-in-Nigeria Helicopter Project.
While responding, the Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Paul Olugbeji Jemitola, stated that the President’s directive “is a duty that must be carried out and completion of work on the project is sacrosanct.” He added that nothing will be overlooked in order to complete the task and fulfill Mr. President’s request for the helicopter project. The Commandant further noted that NASENI has contributed to the development of numerous facilities in AFIT in the past, and that the proactiveness and energy with which it conducts business must be lauded. He also complimented the level of engagement between the two organizations in the past and noted that the same seriousness would come to bear on the current collaboration.
During the inspection, the EVC went on to say that “the Aeronuatics and Air Vehicle Equipment Development Institute located at AFIT Kaduna is one of the new institutes of NASENI sanctioned by President Buhari,”. Elaborating on the significance of AAVDI as an emerging institute within NASENI, he stated that the Institute’s mandate calls for research and development of aeronautics and air vehicle technologies, spare parts, components, and systems. Through backward integration, it must create both civilian and military aircraft. The first made-in-Nigeria helicopter is currently being transported to AAVDI, and it serves as the hub of the NASENI helicopter project assembly.
The EVC stated that the goal of NASENI is to “prospect and domesticate innovations from our counterpart agencies across the world for the manufacture of airplanes. Here in Kaduna, we will have test facilities that will be built to supply machinery, equipment, laboratories, and workshops that can be shared with AFIT and the Nigerian Air Force.