By Sani Idris Abdulrahman
Kaduna, Dec. 19, 2025 (NAN) – In a significant policy address, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has declared that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will fundamentally shift towards intelligence-driven operations. This strategic pivot aims to dramatically enhance mission effectiveness and bolster national security outcomes against evolving asymmetric threats.
Aneke made this declaration on Thursday during a Durbar—a formal military assembly—with personnel of the Air Training Command and co-located units at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna. He emphasized that this visit, his maiden operational tour of the command, held deep professional and historical significance, noting Kaduna’s central role in the NAF’s heritage.
The CAS clarified that the durbar was more than a ceremonial event; it was a critical forum for direct interaction, candid exchange of views, and a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to the NAF’s core values and mission. This approach underscores a modern leadership style focused on transparency and vertical communication within the force.
A New Command Philosophy: From Reaction to Proactive Precision
Air Marshal Aneke revealed that upon assuming office as the 23rd Chief of Air Staff, he conducted a comprehensive review of the challenges impeding operational effectiveness. The result was the introduction of a new command philosophy anchored on two pillars: Motivation and Professionalism.
This philosophy is designed as a working framework to guide all decision-making, planning, training, and conduct across every level of the NAF. Its ultimate goal is to cultivate a mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower in seamless synergy with sister services and other security agencies. In practical terms, this means operations will increasingly rely on fused intelligence from multiple sources—signals, imagery, human intelligence—to precisely target threats, minimize collateral damage, and maximize the strategic impact of every sortie.
The Foundational Role of Training and Technology
The CAS commended the personnel of the Air Training Command for their dedication, directly linking operational success to the quality of training and sustainment systems. He stressed a three-pronged approach:
- Standardized, High-Quality Training: Ensuring every pilot, technician, and intelligence analyst operates at a uniformly high standard.
- Mission-Focused Capability Development: Tailoring training to the specific demands of the current security landscape, such as counter-insurgency and counter-banditry operations.
- Innovation through Technology & Partnerships: Leveraging emerging technologies like drones, data analytics, and cyber capabilities, potentially through partnerships with defense industries and allied nations.
He issued a sobering reminder that despite progress, Nigeria’s security environment remains “complex and demanding.” Threats like banditry, he noted, require not just force, but sustained pressure, operational discipline, and high readiness enabled by superior intelligence.
“Welfare for Enhanced Warfare”: Linking Morale to Mission Success
In a pivotal announcement, Air Marshal Aneke declared a policy of “Welfare for Enhanced Warfare.” This formally links the well-being of personnel directly to operational effectiveness. The logic is clear: a motivated, healthy, and properly equipped force is more alert, disciplined, and effective in combat.
To operationalize this, Headquarters NAF will prioritize:
- Prompt payment of all allowances and entitlements.
- Improved medical support for personnel and their families.
- Provision of essential working tools and equipment.
- A structured channel for personnel to voice challenges affecting their welfare and performance.
Accountability and Future Outlook
The CAS acknowledged the government’s provision of platforms and support, shifting the focus squarely to leadership, discipline, and execution within the NAF. He charged commanders to maintain the highest readiness levels for personnel, aircraft, and weapon systems, urging them to “fight smartly, retain the initiative, and deliver results.”
Future operations will also emphasize a proactive safety culture and efficient resource utilization, ensuring that the force is not only effective but also sustainable.
Concluding with a note of confidence, Air Marshal Aneke expressed his belief that through this renewed focus on intelligence, professionalism, and welfare, the Nigerian Air Force will remain an agile, capable, and respected institution, fully equipped to fulfill its constitutional mandate to the nation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CAS also undertook a tour and inspection of units and facilities to obtain a first-hand assessment of operational needs. He commissioned selected building projects aimed at enhancing training infrastructure and personnel welfare, physically manifesting the new welfare policy. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
SA/BRM
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
