The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, has reaffirmed the central role of transformation, innovation, and the will to fight in enhancing the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
Speaking at the Third Quarter 2025 Defence Headquarters and Services Transformation Seminar held at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, Abuja, Air Marshal Abubakar described the seminar as a milestone in developing strategies to strengthen national defence and operational readiness.
He stressed that Nigerian troops deployed across all six geopolitical zones remain steadfast in their mission to restore peace and security through joint and inter-agency operations.
According to him, beyond procuring modern technology and improving welfare, intangible assets such as loyalty, trust, resilience, and unit cohesion remain the cornerstone of military victory. Citing the words of German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, he noted that “the best form of welfare for troops is first-class training,” adding that the seminar’s theme, “Galvanizing the Will to Fight: Issues and Transformative Solutions for the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” was both timely and strategic.
Air Marshal Abubakar pointed out that the will to fight goes beyond weaponry, encompassing psychological stability, physical fitness, ideological conviction, and confidence in leadership. He explained that over the years, the Armed Forces have made deliberate efforts to consolidate troops’ morale in the face of daunting operational challenges.
Reviewing the Nigerian Air Force’s recent strides, the CAS disclosed the resuscitation of the NAFSA Eagle Project, a light multi-role utility aircraft designed to strengthen self-reliance in aerospace technology and promote domestic innovation in the aviation sector. He added that the Service had enhanced the application of airpower in joint operations while prioritising civilian protection, alongside introducing robust incentives for personnel contributing to research and development.
On welfare, the Air Chief highlighted ongoing massive accommodation projects across NAF Bases, improved medical facilities, comprehensive insurance schemes, and the full kitting of personnel. He further revealed that over 70 new vehicles had been procured within the past year to support operations and logistics, while fitness initiatives had been institutionalised to improve personnel readiness.
Earlier, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal A.H. Amesinlola, commended participants for their commitment to advancing transformative solutions within the Armed Forces, noting that the seminar offered a vital platform for cross-service collaboration and innovative approaches to Nigeria’s security challenges.
Air Marshal Abubakar, while declaring the seminar open, expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for consistently providing modern platforms and an enabling environment for the Armed Forces to execute their constitutional mandate. He urged participants to deliberate productively and generate actionable strategies to strengthen the collective will to fight.
LV