The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has launched the Chief of the Air Staff Youth Empowerment Programme (CASYEP), a new initiative designed to equip young people in Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base communities with vocational skills, mentorship, educational support and career development opportunities.
The programme was unveiled on Thursday, July 2, 2026, and received the endorsement of the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who described it as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future that aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Anthony Chukwuka, the minister commended the Nigerian Air Force for complementing the Federal Government’s youth empowerment efforts through skills acquisition, leadership development, innovation and entrepreneurship.
He urged beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity with discipline and commitment, while assuring the Air Force of the ministry’s readiness to collaborate on expanding similar initiatives.
Speaking at the event, Air Marshal Aneke described CASYEP as more than an empowerment programme, saying it represents “the ignition of hope, the unlocking of latent potential and a renewed commitment to the welfare of Nigerian Air Force personnel and the future of their children and families.”
The Air Chief said the initiative was inspired by his personal experience of growing up in a Nigerian Air Force barracks as the son of an Air Warrant Officer, where he witnessed the resilience of military families alongside the limited opportunities available to many talented young people.
According to him, the programme was created to bridge those gaps through structured skills acquisition, mentorship, educational support and career guidance, enabling beneficiaries to become skilled, confident and self-reliant citizens.
He added that CASYEP also supports the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda on youth empowerment and human capital development, while calling on parents, guardians and military commanders to support the initiative to ensure its long-term success.
Earlier, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal EK Gabkwet, delivered the welcome address, while the Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal AA Martins, outlined the programme’s objectives, implementation framework and expected impact.
Highlights of the launch included the screening of a documentary on CASYEP, a panel discussion on youth development, the presentation and recognition of beneficiaries, and the formal inauguration of the programme by the Chief of the Air Staff.
The Nigerian Air Force said the initiative reflects its commitment to strengthening the welfare of military families by investing in the next generation through education, skills development and leadership opportunities.
