... A 37-Week Journey of Leadership and Strategy
The Minister of Defence, Dr. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has urged officers graduating from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air War College to embrace innovation and proactive leadership in tackling Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of Air War Course 11/2025 in Makurdi, the Minister, represented by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, emphasized that modern conflicts—characterized by terrorism, insurgency, piracy, and organized crime—require dynamic and forward-thinking military strategies.
“The rise of violent non-state actors, asymmetric warfare, and complex security threats demands innovative and proactive approaches,” he said. “The Nigerian Air Force has been at the forefront of this fight, and your training here has prepared you to play a decisive role in safeguarding our nation and region.”
Dr. Abubakar commended the Air War College for fostering collaboration between Nigeria and its allies, noting the participation of officers from Cameroon, Botswana, and Morocco, alongside those fromthe Nigerian Army and Navy. Such partnerships, he said, are critical to tackling cross-border extremist networks destabilizing parts of Africa.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, charged the graduands to confront terrorism with urgency, stressing that regional stability depends on decisive action.
“The task at hand is to ensure that terrorism anywhere is defeated before it undermines peace everywhere,” the CAS declared.
“The future of airpower rests in your hands, and your ability to employ it decisively will strike at the very centre of gravity of the adversary.”
He congratulated the 29 graduating officers, describing the ceremony as another milestone in building the intellectual and operational strength needed for Nigeria’s defence.
The 37-week course, which began on 15 January 2025, was designed to produce operational-level commanders capable of integrating diplomatic, informational, military, and economic dimensions of national power into air operations planning and execution.
In his remarks, Air Vice Marshal Babatunde Phillips, Commandant of the Air War College, praised the resilience and commitment of the participants, urging them to apply their new skills to leadership and real-world challenges.
The Governor of Benue State, Reverend Father Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, represented by Deputy Governor Barrister Sam Ode, commended the NAF for its continuous dedication to training excellence and national security.
The event also recognized outstanding participants like Cdr PC Onah – Overall Best Graduand & Best Research Paper, Gp Capt CJ Mbam – Second Best Graduand, Wg Cdr EA Okeke – Third Best Graduand, and Lt Col PNE Nguoa (Cameroon) – Best Allied Participant
The graduation reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to advancing airpower education, strengthening international defence cooperation, and safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty.
