NAF Deepens Regional Cooperation as Air War College Graduates Officers from Four Countries
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Wednesday marked a major stride in regional defence cooperation with the graduation of 29 senior officers, including participants from Cameroon, Botswana, and Morocco.
The Defence Minister, Dr. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, charged the graduands to embrace innovation and proactive leadership in confronting Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
The ceremony, held at the Air War College in Makurdi, Benue State, also featured participants from the Nigerian Army and Navy, reflecting the College’s growing role in promoting joint operations and international collaboration against common threats.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the Minister said violent non-state actors, terrorism, insurgency, piracy, and organised crime had reshaped the security landscape. He urged the officers to apply their training with foresight and innovation, stressing that they were “frontline thinkers and doers in Nigeria’s evolving security architecture.”
“The threats facing Nigeria are increasingly complex and transnational. This demands leaders who are adaptable, innovative, and decisive,” Badaru said.
He commended the NAF for making professional military education a priority and for broadening cooperation through the inclusion of allied participants.
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On his part, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, warned the graduands that terrorism must be confronted with urgency before it undermines peace everywhere.
“The future of airpower rests in your hands. Your ability to employ it decisively will strike at the centre of gravity of the adversary,” he declared.
Commandant of the Air War College, Air Vice Marshal Babatunde Phillips, described the graduation as the culmination of 37 weeks of rigorous intellectual and professional training. He praised the resilience of the participants and urged them to translate their experiences into practical leadership in joint and combined operations.
The Governor of Benue State, Reverend Father Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, represented by his Deputy, Barrister Sam Ode, commended the sacrifices of the Armed Forces and acknowledged the NAF’s commitment to grooming operational-level leaders.
The course, which commenced on January 15, 2025, focused on leadership, strategy, joint operations, and cyber warfare. Highlights included awards to Commander P.C. Onah, who emerged Overall Best and Best Research Paper awardee; Group Captain C.J. Mbam, who placed second; Wing Commander E.A. Okeke, third; and Lieutenant Colonel P.N.E. Nguoa of Cameroon, who won Best Allied Participant.
The officers were conferred with the Fellowship of the Air War College, Nigeria, reaffirming the NAF’s commitment to advancing airpower education, building synergy with partner nations, and safeguarding national sovereignty.
By PRNigeria
