Air Force Comprehensive School (AFCS) Iyana-Offa, Ibadan came to being on the 28 December 1991 when the then Military Administrator of Oyo State, Colonel (Col) AK Adisa (Rtd) handed over a vacated Teachers’ Training College to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).  The NAF then conceived the idea of establishing her first co-educational boarding school in Ibadan.  Col AK Adisa (Rtd) quickly advised the then Chief  of   the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Mashal Nuraini Yusuff (Rtd) to send senior military education officers to come and evaluate the suitability of the premises for the type of the School the NAF was intending to establish, being “a son of the soil”. Consequently,  It was easy for the CAS  to make adequate arrangements with some teachers on ground and some NAF education experts headed by Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr) EC Nwanjoku.

Sqn Ldr EC Nwanjoku was assisted by the staff he met on ground on arrival  at Iyana-Offa.   Work started in earnest by putting in place all necessary machineries that would accelerate the process of starting a school of high standard.  Real academic work started on 10 January 1992 with the then Sqn Ldr EC Nwanjoku metamorphosing into the first Commandant (Comdt) and he was assisted by then Flight Lieutenant T Auta as the Administrative Officer (Admin Offr), while Mr RS Adebiyi was the Principal  (Academics).

The first intakes of 174 students were screened from over 2,500 primary six pupils that applied for admission, although there was no entrance examination. There were 44 qualified teachers on ground to serve as pioneering tutors for the lucky admitted pupils. Some of these teachers were inherited from the former Local Authority Teachers’ Training College while some came on transfer from other already existing secondary and primary schools.  Also, some were recruited in the school.   Sqn Ldr EC Nwanjoku laid a very strong foundation for the school.  His welfare package for the teachers and students were superb.  He addressed the issue of academic excellence seriously and pursued it vigorously.  The hostels were so convenient for students that they considered them as their second home.

          Sqn Ldr EC Nwanjoku used his good relationship with Ministry of Defence to make sure that all the teachers and students entitlements were given to them.  He saw AFCS Ibadan as a “Beam cast on our educational venture, aimed at producing a child with sufficient tools to face the vagaries of life”.  The support of the then Director of NAF Education, late Air Commodore (Air Cdre) B Aigbomian cannot be over emphasized.  He, like Sqn Ldr Nwanjoku saw that the journey was far and rough but was confident that the school called AFCS Ibadan would make a good name in Nigeria.

          This was the beginning of a school that though humbly started but today has produced many experts and gurus in all aspects of life. All hands were on deck for a successful take off and with God on our side we are what we are today.  To God be the glory.

          The journey started with real academic work and the acclimatization process in an isolated land that was alien to the soldiers, teachers, non-teaching staff and the students.  This first giant stride was the maiden edition of Speech and Prize Giving Day celebration and the launching of the maiden edition of the popular School Magazine, ‘The Beam’.  In the bright morning hours of 13 February 1993, another great history was made, the first Annual Inter-House Sports’ Competition was successfully held and trophies were donated for the occasion.  Another landmark achievement during Sqn Ldr EC Nwajokwu was the inauguration of the Parent Teachers’ Association in May 1993.  It is also important to note here that during the tenure of Sqn Ldr EC Nwanjoku, the School was approved to write the JSSCE in 1993 and the school band was launched the same year.  In July 1994, the pioneer students sat for their JSSCE and all of them passed in flying colours. Since then, flying colour became synonymous with AFCS Ibadan.

On 23 September 1994, the leadership of the great AFCS Ibadan  changed and the  then  Sqn Ldr AT Imam (now Air Cdre, presently, the Director of NAF Education) became  the second Comdt of the School and Sqn Ldr SB Ojo-Awo as the Admin Offr. Sqn Ldr AT Imam presented the first set of our students for the Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by WAEC. It was also during Sqn Ldr AT Imam that all the three laboratories (i.e Physics, Chemistry and Biology) were put in place and some teachers for the core subjects were employed on permanent basis.

Sqn Ldr AT Imam also renovated the school library and adequately equipped it with relevant text books and periodicals. He also equipped the sport department with modern sport materials. Furthermore, he expanded the dining hall to accommodate the population of the students that were increasing every year.

In March 1998, the leadership of AFCS Ibadan changed and Wing Commander (Wg Cdr) BM Ojebola became the Comdt.   He beautified the whole school environment by planting of flowers and creation of lawns. During his tenure, the school performances at WAEC SSCE were outstanding.  Furthermore, he gave priorities to the welfare of the staff and the students.

In December 2000, the School had its fourth Comdt in the name of Wg Cdr SB Ojo-Awo.  His stay was brief but also full of achievements.  The School WAEC SSCE result in the year 2002 was one of the best.  During his tenure,  academic laurels were won e.g Maths Cowbell Competition, French competition to mention a few.

In August 2002, Wg Cdr JA Ogunbiyi was posted to the School as the fifty Comdt. He also contributed his own quota to the growth of this great citadel of learning. Among his achievements was the great improvement he made in students’ feeding.   He also improved welfare package for teachers. It was during his tenure that Christian students have a place of worship. He improved the academic standard of the School. He created Form Masters Forum, an academic arrangement that brought great improvement to the smooth running of the School administration. As a Mathematician, he made sure the standard of students performance in Mathematics and other Science subjects improved dramatically. Several academic laurels were won during his tenure, like International Junior Science Olympiad  in December 2006.

In September 2006, Wg Cdr JA Ogunbiyi was replaced by Wg Cdr AM Chukwu.  Immediately he became Comdt, he renovated all the academic blocks especially the leaking roofs.  He expanded the Comdt’s office and renovated the library and equipped it with relevant text books, journals and periodicals. Academic performance of the students became improved during his tenure. Wg Cdr AM Chukwu (Now Gp Capt, the present Deputy Director of NAF Education), improved the students menu during his brief stay. Several academic laurels were won during his tenure, like International Junior Science Olympiad in December 2006, International Physics Mathematics Olympiad in July 2007, and International Young Physicist Tournament in May 2008. He wonderfully beautified the School compound.

In July 2008, Wg Cdr  Chukwu was posted out and was replaced by Wg Cdr JA Okeke.  His stay too was brief but one major achievement of Wg Cdr Okeke was peaceful working condition that he created for both teaching and non teaching staff.

In Jan 2009, Group Captain BCN Achara replaced Wg Cdr JA Okeke as the eight Comdt of the School.  He introduced some military traditions to the School such as, students dressing with caps and  students matching with colour party.  He also introduced wearing of School trousers by the female students to make them look smart. He improved students’ feeding.

In Jan 2010, Gp Capt Achara was retired and this ushered in Wg  Cdr BD Bolarinwa, the current Comdt. He has continued the good work started by his predecessors.