Hasan Bala Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), has called on newly graduated pilots of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to see their flying licences not just as personal achievements but as a national responsibility.
Speaking at the combined graduation ceremony of Basic Transport Flying Course 5 and Ab-initio Student Pilot Course 49 held on May 2, 2025, at the 401 Flying Training School (FTS) in Kaduna, the CAS reminded the 35 graduating pilots of the critical role they will play in safeguarding Nigeria.
“You carry not just rank and wings, but the hopes of millions of Nigerians who depend on us for safety and security,” Abubakar said.
He emphasized that the pilots’ training marks the beginning of a lifelong commitment to national service.
A statement signed by Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, quoted the CAS as saying that the operational effectiveness of the Air Force depends on the quality of its training.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize NAF’s capabilities, including upgrades to training institutions, induction of more aircraft, and evolution of doctrines to match contemporary warfare demands.
Describing the ceremony as another milestone in the transformation of the NAF into a more agile, resilient, and technology-driven force, the Air Chief commended 401 FTS for its legacy of excellence.
“Over the past four decades, the school has trained more than 700 pilots for the NAF, Nigerian Navy, and other African countries such as the Republic of Benin, Cape Verde, Niger, Zimbabwe, and Sierra Leone”, he added.
Abubakar reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to professional development, improved welfare for personnel, and the defense of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.