The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) have opened talks on deeper collaboration to boost safety and strengthen basic education across the country.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, stated this on Monday in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Monday in Abuja.
Aneke said education and security must work hand in hand as Nigeria continues to face evolving threats around schools, especially in vulnerable communities.
He said the Air Force runs 33 schools — 20 primary and 13 secondary which serve both military and civilian populations, adding that the Service was investing heavily in teacher training, digital literacy and infrastructure upgrades.
“Our responsibility goes beyond protecting communities; it includes nurturing the future of the Nigerian child,” he said.
According to him, a stronger partnership with UBEC will help deploy modern safe-school technologies and expand access to quality learning.
“A well-educated child today becomes a productive citizen tomorrow,” he said.
The Air Chief listed key areas for collaboration, including infrastructure intervention in NAF schools, joint teacher development programmes, integration into UBEC’s digital learning platforms, and strengthened monitoring under the Safe School Programme.
Responding, Dr Garba commended the Air Force for supporting national development beyond its defence role, saying safety and education were inseparable.
“No education system can thrive without safety, and no security framework is complete without education,” she said.
She assured that UBEC would work with NAF to improve school safety, enhance learning and build resilience across the basic education sector.
The partnership, she added, aligns with the national Safe School agenda and the Renewed Hope vision of ensuring that every child learns in a secure environment.
