The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has graduated a new batch of combat-ready Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operators following the successful completion of Operational Conversion Training Course 3/2024. The ceremony, held on 24 July 2025 at 233 Wing Hangar, Kaduna, marks a significant leap in NAF’s efforts to enhance Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations. This development reinforces the NAF’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s battlespace dominance through improved precision, real-time intelligence gathering, and aerial support to ongoing counterinsurgency and internal security operations across the country.

Representing the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, at the event, the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Air Vice Marshal Patrick Obeya, described the graduation as a strategic milestone in Nigeria’s defence posture. Air Marshal Abubakar noted that this achievement reflects his vision of building a highly skilled, agile, and mission-ready force capable of addressing emerging security threats. He commended the graduating UAV operators for their resilience and professionalism, urging them to uphold the values of discipline and excellence as they contribute actionable intelligence to support joint force operations.

The CAS further charged the new operators to remain innovative, embrace continuous learning, and collaborate across engineering, intelligence, and operational domains to enhance mission outcomes. He emphasised that UAV warfare is rapidly evolving, requiring not only flying skills but the ability to fuse data, think strategically, and act decisively. The well-attended event, which drew senior officers, families, and well-wishers, highlighted the NAF’s forward-leaning approach to modern warfare and its steadfast commitment to defending the nation through cutting-edge technology and skilled manpower.

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