Air Chief Links Fiscal Discipline to Nigeria’s National Security, Operational Readiness
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has stressed that fiscal discipline and accountability remain central to strengthening Nigeria’s national security and sustaining the operational readiness of the Armed Forces.
Speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Finance Conference and Retreat 2025, held on Thursday at the NAF School of Finance and Accounts (NAFSFA), Ajia-Ibadan, Air Marshal Abubakar said that prudent management of resources is not just an administrative duty but a moral imperative that directly underpins military effectiveness.
“When resources are managed with integrity and prudence, the NAF is better positioned to maintain readiness, train and equip personnel, and execute operational directives without financial encumbrances,” the CAS said. He called on all officers, from senior command to the junior cadre, to uphold the principles of accountability in financial dealings, describing it as vital to institutional integrity and the security of the nation.
He commended the Accounts and Budget Branch for organising the conference, themed “Sustainable Resource Management for Effective Air Power Delivery”, saying the gathering provided a strategic platform for knowledge-sharing and innovation to ensure every fund entrusted to the Service is judiciously applied.
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Delivering the keynote address, the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, represented by his Special Adviser, Dr Samuel Omenka, emphasised the importance of resource optimisation in the face of limited national resources. He noted that transparency, accountability, and disciplined budgeting remain critical pillars for sustaining Nigeria’s airpower capabilities.
Highlighting the significance of the venue, Air Marshal Abubakar recalled the commissioning of the NAF School of Finance and Accounts earlier this year as part of activities marking the Service’s 61st Anniversary. He described the school as a professional hub for finance officers and a national resource centre that will help drive innovation in financial management.
The CAS also expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Oyo State for their support, particularly Governor Seyi Makinde’s approval of the dualisation of the access road to the NAF Base in Ajia, which he described as a sign of enduring partnership.
Air Vice Marshal Uche Nwagwu, Chief of Accounts and Budget, also underscored the role of finance officers in safeguarding the credibility and efficiency of the Service. He said the retreat provides officers with the opportunity to sharpen their skills and embrace innovation in resource management, stressing that “every naira entrusted to us must directly translate into operational capability and national security.”
The event was attended by the Head of Service of Oyo State, Mrs Olubumi Oni; the Accountant General of Oyo State, Mrs Kike Adegoke; senior NAF officers; finance experts; and other stakeholders. It also featured a tour of facilities at NAFSFA and the commissioning of the NAF Finance Specialty Hall of Fame.
The two-day retreat will feature technical sessions and discussions aimed at equipping NAF finance personnel with the tools to sustain fiscal discipline while advancing the Service’s operational mandate.
By PRNigeria
