Chief Of Air Staff Demands Operational Excellence At High-Level NAF Command Meeting

Chief Of Air Staff Demands Operational Excellence At High-Level NAF Command Meeting

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has called on senior commanders of the Nigerian Air Force to pursue operational excellence with unity, discipline, and strategic clarity as the Service advances into a new phase of leadership. Delivering opening remarks at a meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding and Unit Commanders on 11 February 2026, the CAS described the engagement as a vital platform for reflection following his first 100 days in office. He noted that recent operational visits across commands revealed the sacrifices and dedication of personnel, stressing that the moment demands renewed focus and collective resolve. “Together, we will continue to build a highly motivated, professional, and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces,” he affirmed.

Air Marshal Aneke warned that the global and regional security environment remains volatile, citing instability in the Sahel, the spread of extremist violence, and shifting geopolitical alignments with direct implications for Nigeria’s defence posture. While acknowledging modest improvements in parts of the country, he stressed that insurgency, banditry, and emerging extremist threats require sustained pressure and adaptive strategy. With elections approaching, he reminded commanders that the Nigerian Air Force must maintain absolute professionalism and political neutrality. Condemning any attempt to undermine democratic order, the CAS reaffirmed the Service’s loyalty to the Constitution. “The Nigerian Air Force remains loyal to the democratically elected government. We will not tolerate indiscipline or unlawful conduct within our ranks,” he declared.

Highlighting the meeting’s agenda, the CAS said discussions would focus on performance review, operational recalibration, and future capability development, including advancements in airpower application and unmanned systems. He urged frank, solution-driven deliberations that translate into measurable improvements across the Service. Expressing confidence in the Armed Forces’ capacity to safeguard national stability, he reminded commanders that the expectations of millions of Nigerians rest on their effectiveness. “We are in a season of renewed hope and expectation… and we will not disappoint,” he assured, reaffirming the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to operational excellence and decisive action in defence of the nation.