The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is deepening its strategic intelligence capability through specialised professional training and international partnerships aimed at improving intelligence-led decision-making and strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to participate effectively in joint and multinational military operations.
The initiative was reinforced by the participation of NAF personnel in the Combined Strategic Intelligence Training Programme (CSITP), organised at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Washington, D.C., United States.
The specialised programme, which ran from 21 July to 11 September 2026, brought together military and intelligence professionals from the United States and 14 other countries, providing participants with an international platform for knowledge exchange, professional development and enhanced interoperability.
The participation underscores the NAF’s growing emphasis on developing an intelligence workforce capable of operating effectively within complex security environments, where timely, accurate and actionable intelligence is increasingly critical to military planning and operational success.
The training also provides an avenue for Nigerian Air Force personnel to engage with counterparts from other countries, deepen professional relationships and gain exposure to contemporary approaches to strategic intelligence analysis and operational planning.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the NAF remains committed to developing a highly skilled, interoperable and globally aligned intelligence workforce capable of meeting emerging security demands.
Aneke stressed that sustained investment in professional development, coupled with international cooperation, would enhance the Service’s ability to generate and exploit intelligence in support of military operations.
According to him, strengthening intelligence capabilities is essential to ensuring that commanders have the information required to make informed and timely decisions, particularly in increasingly complex and dynamic operational environments.
The Chief of the Air Staff further noted that international training programmes such as the CSITP contribute significantly to building professional competence while fostering greater understanding and interoperability among participating nations.
He maintained that such partnerships would ultimately strengthen the NAF’s capacity to support joint operations with other branches of the Nigerian Armed Forces as well as multinational missions involving partner countries.
The programme’s multinational composition also offered participants an opportunity to share experiences and examine different approaches to strategic intelligence, thereby promoting a broader understanding of contemporary security challenges.
For the Nigerian Air Force, the initiative forms part of its wider efforts to build a modern and professionally capable force that can respond effectively to evolving threats while contributing meaningfully to regional and international security cooperation.
The Service’s participation in the CSITP therefore highlights the growing importance attached to intelligence development as a key component of military readiness, operational effectiveness and strategic decision-making.
With continued investment in specialised training and collaboration with international partners, the NAF is positioning its intelligence personnel to provide stronger support for joint and multinational operations and to contribute more effectively to Nigeria’s broader national security objectives.
