Air Chief Stresses Innovation, Transformation to Boost Troops’ Fighting Spirit
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, has stressed that transformation, innovation, and a resilient will to fight remain central to strengthening the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in addressing current security challenges.
Delivering the keynote address at the Third Quarter 2025 Defence Headquarters and Services Transformation Seminar, at the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja, Abubakar said the seminar marked another milestone in efforts to develop strategies for deepening operational readiness and national defence.
He explained that while modern technology and improved welfare are essential, intangible assets such as trust, loyalty, resilience, and cohesion ultimately determine battlefield success. Quoting the World War II German commander, General Erwin Rommel, he said: “The best form of welfare for troops is first-class training.”
According to him, the theme of the seminar “Galvanizing the Will to Fight: Issues and Transformative Solutions for the Armed Forces of Nigeria” — was both timely and necessary given the growing complexity of Nigeria’s security environment.
“The will to fight goes beyond weapons. It includes psychological stability, physical fitness, ideological conviction, and confidence in leadership,” Abubakar said, noting that the AFN has over the years consolidated troop morale amid daunting operational challenges.
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The Air Chief further highlighted reforms undertaken by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to improve combat effectiveness, including enhanced training programmes, welfare initiatives, and incentives for personnel involved in research and innovation. He announced the resuscitation of the NAF Surveillance Aircraft Eagle Project, a light multi-role utility aircraft designed to advance self-reliance in aerospace technology and boost local innovation in the aviation sector.
On welfare, Abubakar said the Service had embarked on massive accommodation projects across NAF bases, established the Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics, and improved healthcare services for personnel. He added that more than 70 new vehicles were recently procured to support operations, while fitness programmes have been institutionalised to improve readiness.
Earlier, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal AH Amesinlola, commended participants for their commitment to advancing new solutions. He said the seminar provided a platform for cross-service collaboration and intellectual exchange.
Declaring the seminar open, Abubakar expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for consistently supporting the Armed Forces with modern platforms and an enabling environment to execute their constitutional duties. He urged participants to generate practical outcomes that would strengthen the collective will to fight.
The seminar, which brought together senior officers from the Defence Headquarters and Services, featured interactive sessions on morale, cohesion, and resilience, with the aim of ensuring that operational gains are not only sustained but expanded in the future.
