The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has charged senior Nigerian Air Force (NAF) officers to embrace innovation, strategic foresight, and decisive leadership as the Service sets its course for 2025. Speaking at the First Quarter Meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), and Commandants, the CAS emphasised the need for proactive and adaptive leadership to address evolving security challenges.
Air Marshal Abubakar elaborated on the interconnected nature of the global security imperatives and the implications for Nigeria’s defence strategy. He highlighted key lessons from ongoing conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and the Middle East crisis, noting the increased use of drone warfare, artificial intelligence, and the electromagnetic spectrum in modern combat. Accordingly, he challenged the senior leaders to refine doctrines and integrate advanced technologies, in order to ensure that the NAF maintains a strategic advantage in its efforts to meet the nation's airpower needs.
Addressing the domestic security landscape, the CAS acknowledged the progress made in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations in the North-East and North-West. He commended the synergy between the NAF and ground forces, which has led to the neutralisation of high-value terrorist targets. However, he warned against complacency, citing emerging threats such as the resurgence of Boko Haram, the proliferation of drone-based attacks, and the continued instability in the Sahel region. 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 counterterrorism efforts. He noted that the withdrawal of these countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) could adversely affect the operational framework of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). This, he deduced, calls for a more agile and adaptive approach from the NAF to fill emerging security gaps and maintain stability in the region.
Beyond operations, the CAS stressed the need for comprehensive capability-based assessments to ensure the NAF remains agile, resilient, and mission-ready. He revealed that committees tasked with evaluating the Service’s core capabilities had completed their assessments and would present strategic recommendations during the meeting. He urged the 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,” Air Marshal Abubakar stated. “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. Let us seize this forum to chart a course for the future with clarity, purpose, and unwavering determination.”
The two-day meeting is expected to provide a platform for the 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.
