Nigerian Air Force and Energy Commission Of Nigeria Partner On Renewable Energy
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen inter-agency cooperation and foster mutually beneficial partnerships across government institutions, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has formalized a strategic collaboration with the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) in the area of renewable energy. During a recent visit to the Commission, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, commended the Director General of ECN, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, for his visible commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions to address Nigeria’s power challenges. The visit provided a platform to identify practical areas of cooperation, particularly in deploying sustainable energy solutions to strengthen NAF base security, enhance operational readiness, and improve personnel welfare across selected installations.
Speaking further, the CAS proposed a framework for joint capacity-building initiatives, including specialized training programmes, technical workshops, and professional exchanges focused on renewable energy technology and energy efficiency. In his response, Dr Abdullahi described the engagement as historic and a major milestone in deepening civil-military relations through energy security collaboration. He explained that the Commission’s broader strategy is anchored on decentralizing power supply through solar mini-grids and stand-alone systems, thereby reducing dependence on the national grid while expanding access to reliable electricity for critical institutions and underserved communities.
In a significant development, the ECN Director General disclosed that the Commission had already taken concrete steps in support of the NAF by awarding a contract for the solarization of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) with a 0.5-megawatt off-grid solar power system under the Presidential Renewed Hope Solarization Programme. He further assured the delegation that comprehensive energy audits would be conducted on selected Air Force facilities to determine their specific power requirements, with a view to deploying tailored solar solutions. The NAF delegation also included the representative of the Chief of Logistics, Air Vice Marshal Atang Sambo; the Director of Cooperation and Coordination, Air Vice Marshal Chris Akpa; and senior Directors from the NAF Civil-Military Relations Branch.
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