Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Dr. Bashir Gwandu, has called for stronger collaboration with the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna, for the smooth take-off of the permanent site of the Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute (AAVDI).
The NASENI boss said this when the new Commandant of AFIT, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) S. L. Rabe, paid him a courtesy visit at the headquarters of the Agency in Abuja.
AAVDI is an institute under NASENI and it is located within the AFIT Complex in Kaduna, Kaduna State.
Dr. Gwandu, in a release by Director of Information and Protocol, NASENI, Mr. Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, congratulated AVM Rabe on his resumption of duty as the new Commandant of the Institute.
He informed the new AFIT Commandant that he too was barely two months on the job since his appointment as the NASENI boss.
Gwandu further disclosed that he has been visiting institutes under the Agency for an assessment of what some of them are doing.
“Surely, our work with the Air Force and the military establishment are areas that I want to focus on because there are some of our key projects that AFIT is championing and that cooperation is very important to us in particular and to the country,” he said.
Gwandu said the main reason for having the AAVDI is for Nigeria to be self-reliant in aviation technology, noting that there will be manufacturing of components for aircrafts that NASENI can produce.
“We can train people to learn to produce the components. Like I said, we have been looking at different components of aircrafts in particular and how we can penetrate that industry.
“We produce a lot of titanium in this country, as we know the body of aircrafts in particular use composite materials which do not work with aluminum as we all know because of corrosion.
“One of the key projects I am working on is getting a team to work on titanium. I have companies that I am talking to, courtesy of your colleague at NASENI.
“We will work with what we have to produce some of the parts. We have institutes like HEDI in Kano that produce hydraulics that is needed in aviation.
“We are trying to form a team that we can train in different areas of aerospace such as satellites, down to aircraft aviation,” he added.
The NASENI boss further said: “One of the key projects we have discussed on Airbus is the Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) in Abuja.
“Instead of taking all our aircrafts out, we want to establish an MRO here so that we can do it here. Why Abuja is important is because it is centre of Africa.
“The distance to anywhere from Abuja is not more than five hours. It is the most central location and also not much rain activities as much as it is in other places.”
On training on aircraft parts and systems, including Avionics, he said NASENI was interested in developing those areas that were earlier mentioned.
“We are just starting and we have to start from somewhere. We have to do something fast or else we will find ourselves lagging behind.
“Most of the advanced countries are making money mainly from high-tech that we do. We need to be there and compete with them. That is the thinking,” Gwandu added.
AVM Rabe came to NASENI with the AFIT Provost, Professor Dauda Mohammed; Director, Quality Assurance, Dr I. Yahuza and Director of Projects, Group Captain Ahmed.
He said the visit to NASENI was to congratulate Gwandu on his appointment, as well as touch base with him on the collaboration for the establishment of the NASENI Institute in Kaduna.
He said it was an honour and he looked forward to strengthening ties with NASENI to develop AADVI and also fast-track work on aircraft manufacturing.
He promised to work with NASENI and asked that AFIT staff should be part of trainings for unskilled talents such as welding, among others.
“I am of the opinion that the AFIT staff should be part of the NASENI trainings to gain knowledge from the trainings,” AVM Rabe said.
The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has already provided land/space for the construction of NASENI’s Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute (AAVDI).
This included other necessary infrastructures for the smooth take-off of the projects; and also to provide counterpart technical team during aviation equipment installation and test-running.
The AFIT is also to provide training on helicopter piloting, maintenance of helicopters and development of MRO plans.
It will provide counterpart technical team required for hangar development and testing, as well as provide technical team for avionics and reverse engineering of Dynali helicopter.
On its part, NASENI would work with AFIT on prefabricated structures/homes in areas where there is deficiency. It will provide technical team with respect to setting up AFIT’s Laser Cutting Machine and automation systems.
The Agency will also provide counterpart technical team required during skills acquisition programmes, hands-on training workshop, seminars, conferences and other trainings, as well as provide AFIT recommended science kits.
In December 21, 2021, a presidential order was given for relocation of the NASENI helicopter project to AFIT and also for the establishment of the AAVDI within AFIT.
