The Air Force War College Nigeria, on Monday, 14 September 2026, hosted the Graduation Lecture for participants of Air War Course 12/2026, with former Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor (rtd) CFR, urging the graduands to embrace a strategic mindset that goes beyond tactical success to achieving enduring national security outcomes. Delivering the lecture titled “Strategic Mindset Shift for Operational Leaders: A General’s Conversation with Future Commanders,” General Irabor challenged the participants to transition from tactical excellence to strategic and operational leadership, stressing the need for commanders who can align operational actions with national strategic objectives and translate military efforts into meaningful strategic effects in an increasingly complex security environment.

General Irabor identified five key imperatives for future operational leaders: leadership evolution, institutional agility, multi-domain and multinational synergy, a whole-of-society approach to security, and resource stewardship. He emphasised that contemporary security challenges require commanders who can adapt institutions, integrate capabilities, foster effective partnerships and optimise available resources to deliver sustainable outcomes. The lecture was attended by the Special Guest of Honour, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, ably represented by the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Air Vice Marshal MC Ekwueme; the Chief of Air Intelligence, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal NN Ananaba; as well as other senior serving and retired military officers.

In his remarks, the Commandant, Air Force War College Nigeria, Air Vice Marshal GA Mbaka, appreciated General Irabor for delivering the lecture, noting that the calibre of seasoned resource persons throughout Air War Course 12/2026 had equipped participants with the knowledge and strategic mindset required to contribute meaningfully to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges and advancing peace and stability across Africa. The Graduation Lecture, which formed part of activities marking the Course’s graduation, underscored the College’s commitment to developing operational-level leaders capable of translating strategic thinking into decisive and sustainable effects in support of Nigeria’s national security objectives.

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