Nigerian Air Force Empowers Nigerian Youths With Future-Ready Technical and Digital Skills

Nigerian Air Force Empowers Nigerian Youths With Future-Ready Technical and Digital Skills

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), through the 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG), Port Harcourt, has reinforced its commitment to personnel welfare and community development with the graduation of 200 participants from its Skills Development Training Programme conducted in collaboration with SkillUp Naija and Globalcraft Technology Development. The graduation ceremony, held on 8 May 2026 at Air Force Secondary School Port Harcourt, marked the successful completion of vocational and technical training aimed at equipping participants with practical, employable, and entrepreneurial skills that promote self-reliance and economic productivity. The initiative attracted significant participation from personnel, dependants, youths within the NAF community, and students, highlighting the growing impact of the programme within the wider society.

The programme provided specialised training in key vocational and technical areas including heavy equipment operation, digital and ICT-related skills, renewable energy solutions, health and safety management, fashion design, and catering services. Beyond enhancing employability and entrepreneurship, the initiative also contributes to strengthening technical support capability, ICT awareness, and operational efficiency within the Nigerian Air Force. The acquisition of these specialised competencies by NAF personnel further supports mission effectiveness across various operational environments where technical expertise remains critical to sustaining air operations and broader national security efforts.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Commander 115 SOG, Group Captain AA Opaleye, stated that the initiative reflects the commitment of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, towards prioritising personnel welfare through human capacity development and empowerment initiatives. He noted that the programme was designed to positively impact personnel, their dependants, and the wider Base community by creating opportunities for self-development, entrepreneurship, and productive engagement. The initiative also aligns with broader national development objectives by supporting youth empowerment, promoting socio-economic stability within the Niger Delta region, and strengthening civil-military relations through meaningful community partnership.