The Chief of the Air Staff, Air-Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke has called for deeper collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to strengthen education, research, and innovation, particularly in the areas of aerospace development, artificial intelligence, and robotics. Air-Marshal Aneke spoke during a visit to the TETFund Headquarters in Abuja, where he underscored the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing national development and building critical human capacity. He noted that sustained support for educational institutions, especially the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and other specialized centres would go a long way in improving research output and enhancing Nigeria’s technological capabilities. He stressed further TETFund’s continued support would catapult AFIT into becoming one of the most sought after institutions in the country. Drawing attention to its other institutions, the Chief of Air Staff stated that “We also seek support for other Nigerian Air Force educational institution, including the Nigerian Air Force College of Nursing, Nigerian Air Force School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine, particularly on infrastructure and academic capacity to boost healthcare in the country. It is very important to note that the services provided by our institutions benefit the general public and host communities”. The Air Chief highlighted the role of TETFund in providing essential infrastructure and resources for tertiary institutions, describing its interventions as pivotal to the growth of education in Nigeria. He also stressed the need for continued collaboration with critical national institutions, including those in healthcare and defence, to improve service delivery and national outcomes. According to him, investments in education and innovation would help the country develop the skilled workforce required to compete globally, especially in emerging and highly technical fields. Speaking further, he also sought support for perimeter fencing at AFIT with surveillance systems, artificial intelligence and robotics laboratory to advance research capacities for the aerospace sector, alongside residential accommodation for staff of the institution. In his response, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono expressed appreciation for the visit and commended the Nigerian Air Force for its contributions to national security and educational development. The Executive Secretary noted that TETFund holds the Nigerian Air Force and its institutions in high esteem, particularly for their role in advancing education, research, and innovation, and some of the requests made by the Chief of Air Staff were already receiving the attention of the Fund. He reaffirmed TETFund’s commitment to supporting tertiary institutions through the provision of infrastructure, research funding, and capacity development, adding that such interventions have significantly strengthened Nigeria’s education sector, and AFIT remains a critical player in the sector. He assured that the Fund would continue to invest in modern facilities and create an enabling environment to attract global talent and enhance competitiveness, in line with its mandate