By Chinaza Osigwe
In a historic milestone for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and a major boost to its research and development initiatives, Air Vice Marshal Osichinaka Chiedu Ubadike has been appointed Professor of Aerospace Engineering by the Governing Council of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT).
With this appointment, Ubadike becomes the first-ever serving officer in the history of the NAF to attain the prestigious academic rank of Professor.
An indigene of Anambra State, Air Vice Marshal Ubadike is a distinguished military officer and academic, holding a PhD and a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering and Aerospace Vehicle Design from Cranfield University in the United Kingdom. He also boasts three additional Master’s degrees from Ahmadu Bello University and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), alongside a First-Class Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Electronics Engineering from the NDA.
Throughout his career, Ubadike has been at the forefront of innovation within the Air Force, playing a leading role in several critical research initiatives. Notably, he was instrumental in the development of the indigenous NAF Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) project, which marks a significant step forward in enhancing the Air Force’s technological capabilities and strategic autonomy.
His appointment is seen as a testament to the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to academic excellence and technical advancement, further positioning the service as a key player in the nation’s drive for self-reliance in defense technology.
