In a significant push to enhance Nigeria’s aerial surveillance and operational precision, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has graduated a fresh batch of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operators. The graduation ceremony, held on Wednesday at the 233 Wing Hangar in Kaduna, marked the completion of the Operational Conversion Training Course 3/2024.
The initiative is part of the NAF’s ongoing efforts to expand its Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in support of counterinsurgency and internal security operations across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Air Vice Marshal Patrick Obeya, described the event as a strategic milestone in the fight against insurgency and other asymmetric threats.
“This is not just a graduation ceremony,” he said. “It is a reaffirmation of our resolve to dominate the battlespace through precision ISR and coordinated joint operations. These young men and women are now key players in our mission to secure Nigeria from the skies.”
Air Marshal Abubakar, in a message delivered during the event, reaffirmed his commitment to building a highly skilled, agile, and mission-ready force. He praised the graduands for their discipline and resilience during the intensive training program, urging them to maintain professionalism and focus as they step into operational roles.
“The Nigerian Air Force is counting on your competence, discipline, and sense of duty to deliver actionable intelligence and enable successful joint force operations,” he stated.
The CAS also encouraged the newly minted UAV operators to embrace innovation and commit to continuous learning. He noted that modern UAV operations require collaboration with engineers, intelligence analysts, and aircrew, and success depends not only on flying skills but on data fusion, strategic thinking, and swift decision-making.
“As you go forward, remember that excellence in modern warfare comes from the ability to adapt, innovate, and operate as part of a larger intelligence-driven system,” he added.
The graduation underscores NAF’s growing investment in advanced aerial technologies and its commitment to enhancing national security through skilled manpower and technological superiority.
The ceremony was attended by senior military officers, family members, and well-wishers, who gathered to celebrate what the CAS described as “a crucial investment in national security."