Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, DFS, has reaffirmed the importance of transformation, innovation, and the will to fight as central to strengthening the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
By Chimezie Godfrey
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, DFS, has reaffirmed the importance of transformation, innovation, and the will to fight as central to strengthening the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
He stated this on Thursday at the Third Quarter 2025 Defence Headquarters and Services Transformation Seminar held at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Headquarters, Abuja.
According to him, the seminar marked “another milestone in our collective efforts to develop strategies for enhancing national defence and operational readiness.” He stressed that troops deployed across the six geopolitical zones “remain steadfast in restoring peace, law, and order through joint and inter-agency operations.”
The Air Chief pointed out that beyond technology and welfare, “intangible assets such as loyalty, trust, resilience, and unit cohesion remain the cornerstone of victory.” Quoting German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, he said: “The best form of welfare for troops is first class training.”
Abubakar further explained that the will to fight must not be seen only in terms of weapons but also psychological stability, physical fitness, ideological conviction, and confidence in leadership.
On NAF’s reforms, he disclosed the revival of the Nigerian Air Force Surveillance Aircraft (NAFSA) Eagle Project, a light multi-role utility aircraft. He described the project as part of efforts to achieve self-reliance in aerospace technology and boost domestic innovation.
He also highlighted welfare initiatives including new accommodation projects across bases, establishment of the Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics, improved medical facilities, enhanced insurance policies, full kitting of personnel, procurement of more than 70 vehicles in the past year, and institutionalised fitness programmes.
Earlier, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Air Vice Marshal AH Amesinlola, commended participants for their commitment to advancing transformative ideas. He described the seminar as “a platform for collaboration, intellectual exchange, and innovative approaches to complex security challenges.”
The CAS, while declaring the seminar open, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for “consistently supporting the Armed Forces with modern platforms and an enabling environment to deliver on their constitutional mandate.”