Chief Of Air Staff Stresses Fiscal Discipline and Accountability As Cornerstone Of National Security and Operational Readiness

Chief Of Air Staff Stresses Fiscal Discipline and Accountability As Cornerstone Of National Security and Operational Readiness

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has underscored the central role of fiscal discipline and accountability in strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture. He made this known while declaring open the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Finance Conference and Retreat 2025 on 11 September, at the NAF School of Finance and Accounts (NAFSFA), Ajia-Ibadan. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the two-day event, Air Marshal Abubakar noted that the efficient management of resources is not merely an administrative necessity but a moral imperative that underpins operational effectiveness. He emphasised that when resources are managed with integrity and prudence, the NAF is better positioned to maintain readiness, train and equip personnel, and execute operational directives without financial encumbrances.

“It is therefore incumbent upon every officer, from the highest levels of command to the junior cadre, to uphold and internalise the principles of accountability in all financial dealings,” the CAS declared. He added that accountability must be embraced as a collective responsibility for institutional integrity, describing it as a commitment to both the future of the Nigerian Air Force and the security of the nation. Commending the Accounts and Budget Branch for organising the Conference, themed “Sustainable Resource Management for Effective Air Power Delivery”, he described the gathering as timely and strategic, offering a platform for knowledge sharing and innovation to ensure every fund entrusted to the Service is judiciously applied.

Delivering the keynote address on “Improving the NAF’s Budget and Financial Management Practices to Sustain Airpower Capabilities in a Resources-Constrained Era”, the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, represented by his Special Adviser, Dr Samuel Omenka, highlighted the urgent need for resource optimisation in the face of competing national priorities. He stressed that effective budgeting, transparency, and accountability remain critical pillars for sustaining airpower capabilities. According to him, a disciplined financial culture within the NAF will not only reinforce operational readiness but also ensure that scarce resources are channelled towards maximum impact in national defence.

Highlighting the significance of the venue, Air Marshal Abubakar recalled the commissioning of the NAF School of Finance and Accounts earlier in the year as part of activities marking the Service’s 61st Anniversary. He stated that its selection as host for the retreat further validates its role as a professional training hub for finance officers and a resource centre with national impact. The CAS expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Oyo State for their consistent support, particularly Governor Seyi Makinde’s approval of the dualisation of the access road to the NAF Base in Ajia, which he described as a gesture symbolising enduring partnership between the State and the Air Force.

Air Vice Marshal Uche Nwagwu, Chief of Accounts and Budget, also underscored the pivotal role of finance officers in safeguarding the credibility and efficiency of the Nigerian Air Force. He remarked that the Finance Conference and Retreat provides a unique opportunity for personnel to sharpen their skills, strengthen accountability practices, and embrace innovation in resource management. “Our duty goes beyond balancing figures; it is about ensuring that every naira entrusted to us directly translates into operational capability and national security. This is the essence of stewardship that the Chief of the Air Staff has consistently emphasised,” he stated.

Dignitaries at the event included the Head of Service, Oyo State, Mrs Olubumi Oni; the Accountant General of Oyo State, Mrs Kike Adegoke; finance experts; senior NAF officers; and other stakeholders. The CAS, in company of other senior NAF officers and dignitaries conducted an extensive tour of facilities at the NAFSFA and commissioned the NAF Finance Specialty Hall of Fame. The two-day retreat will feature expert-led sessions and technical discussions aimed at equipping NAF finance personnel with practical tools and insights to uphold fiscal responsibility while advancing the Service’s operational mandate.