Hassan Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), has reaffirmed the importance of transformation, innovation, and the will to fight as the driving forces for strengthening Nigeria’s Armed Forces.
He gave this assurance on Thursday, while delivering the keynote address at the Third Quarter Defence Headquarters and Services Transformation Seminar held at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking on the seminar’s theme, “Galvanizing the Will to Fight: Issues and Transformative Solutions for the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” Abubakar stressed that the Nigerian military has remained steadfast in its operations across all six geopolitical zones, committed to restoring peace, law, and order through joint and inter-agency efforts.
He emphasized that victory in today’s complex security environment does not depend solely on technology and weaponry but also on intangible assets such as loyalty, trust, resilience, unit cohesion, and the psychological stability of troops.
Quoting the German military strategist Erwin Rommel’s maxim that “the best form of welfare for troops is first class training,” Abubakar said the will to fight must be nurtured through discipline, ideological conviction, and confidence in leadership.
He noted that the seminar would provide a platform for military leaders and experts to craft sustainable strategies to deepen morale, cohesion, and resilience across the services, ensuring that current operational gains are not only consolidated but expanded.
Highlighting recent transformative strides by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the CAS revealed that the Service has strengthened the application of airpower in joint operations with a strong focus on minimizing civilian harm.
Training programmes, he explained, have been expanded to build capacity for innovation, while incentives have been introduced for personnel who deliver practical solutions through research and development.
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He also announced the revival of the NAF Surveillance Aircraft (NAFSA) Eagle Project, a light multi-role utility aircraft that aims to boost self-reliance in aerospace technology and advance domestic innovation within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
On welfare, Abubakar described it as a critical enabler of the will to fight, pointing to projects such as new accommodation facilities across Air Force bases nationwide, the establishment of the Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics, upgraded medical services, comprehensive insurance policies, and full kitting for personnel.
He further disclosed that over 70 new vehicles were procured in the past year to enhance operational and administrative logistics, while physical fitness initiatives have been institutionalised to ensure personnel remain battle-ready.
Earlier in his welcome address, A.H. Amesinlola, Chief of Transformation and Innovation, commended participants for their commitment to advancing innovative solutions within the Armed Forces.
He said the seminar served as a crucial forum for cross-service collaboration and intellectual engagement on the evolving challenges of national security.
Declaring the seminar open, Abubakar expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support to the Armed Forces through the provision of modern platforms and an enabling environment.
He urged participants to deliberate constructively and develop outcomes that will further strengthen the collective will to fight in defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty.
