By Victor Akaa.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to innovation, strategic foresight, and decisive leadership as it charts a bold course for 2025.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, made this clear while addressing senior NAF officers at the First Quarter Meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), and Commandants.
Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, Director Public Relations and Information NAF, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the CAS emphasized the need for proactive and adaptive leadership to address evolving security challenges, highlighting the interconnected nature of global security imperatives and their implications for Nigeria’s defense strategy.
He noted key lessons from ongoing conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and the Middle East crisis, and challenged senior leaders to refine doctrines and integrate advanced technologies to maintain a strategic advantage in meeting the nation’s airpower needs.
The CAS commended progress made in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in the North-East and North-West, but warned against complacency in the face of emerging threats such as the resurgence of Boko Haram and the proliferation of drone-based attacks.
He stressed the importance of enhancing the NAF’s counter-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Counter-UAV) capabilities to safeguard national security.
On regional security, Air Marshal Abubakar highlighted the impact of political shifts in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso on counter-terrorism efforts, calling for a more agile and adaptive approach from the NAF to fill emerging security gaps and maintain stability in the region.
The CAS also emphasized the need for comprehensive capability-based assessments to ensure the NAF remains agile, resilient, and mission-ready.
He urged senior officers to engage critically, challenge assumptions, and contribute actionable insights that would shape the NAF’s operational roadmap for 2025.
“The leadership responsibility we carry is not just a duty, it is a calling that demands results driven by initiative, strategic planning, and foresight.
“No idea is too small, and no concern is insignificant. The strength of our projections for 2025 will be shaped by the depth of our collective insights.” Air Marshal Abubakar stated
The two-day meeting is expected to provide a platform for senior officers to review past achievements, identify challenges, and formulate strategic plans to enhance NAF’s operational effectiveness in the coming year.
With a focus on innovation, inter-agency collaboration, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, the NAF aims to strengthen its role in safeguarding Nigeria’s airspace and national security interests.
