The Nigerian Air Force NAF has achieved a significant milestone in aviation safety, recording an entire year without a single aircraft mishap. This feat was disclosed during the 2025 Safety Review Board (SRB) Meeting held on 22 June at the Air Marshal MD Umar Blue Room, Headquarters NAF, Abuja.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, attributed the development to deliberate reforms and a deeply entrenched culture of operational discipline, foresight, and professionalism within the service.
“This is a significant achievement, one that underscores the collective commitment and vigilance of our personnel,” the CAS stated. “Safety is not a one-time achievement, but a continuous process requiring foresight, innovation, and accountability.”
Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized that the accident-free record was not a matter of luck but the result of a proactive safety culture and strategic interventions. These include enhanced safety training, increased command-level oversight, and the implementation of predictive safety management practices. In 2025 alone, over 1,300 airmen and 157 officers have undergone safety induction and awareness training. 
The CAS further noted that the integration of safety education with operational capability remains a core priority for the service. “No matter how advanced an aircraft may be, its effectiveness is ultimately determined by the safety environment in which it operates,” he added.
He also called on senior commanders to maintain high standards of vigilance and accountability. “Most aviation accidents are not caused by fate, but by lapses in judgment, communication, or adherence to procedures. Safety must never be reduced to a procedural formality,” he warned.
Commending the ongoing efforts of Air Officers Commanding in sustaining quarterly Safety Action Group meetings, the CAS urged unit commanders to reinforce the message at the grassroots level to ensure safety becomes a shared and internalized responsibility.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Air Vice Marshal Abidoye, revealed that the NAF had conducted evaluation visits to 58 units and completed safety inspections in 31 within the first half of 2025. He added that safety awareness seminars had been held across various commands to further entrench a culture of safety consciousness.
The meeting concluded with a renewed pledge from NAF leadership to institutionalize safety not merely as a metric of performance, but as a foundational value that guides all operational activities.
LV