The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, DFS, has stressed that transformation, innovation, and above all, the will to fight remain the backbone of military effectiveness in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Third Quarter 2025 Defence Headquarters and Services Transformation Seminar in Abuja on Thursday, the Air Chief described the gathering as “another milestone in our collective efforts to strengthen national defence and operational readiness.”
According to him, Nigerian troops currently deployed across the six geopolitical zones are “steadfast in restoring peace, law, and order through joint and inter-agency operations.”
Air Marshal Abubakar noted that modern technology and welfare provision, though important, cannot on their own secure victory. “Intangible assets such as loyalty, trust, resilience, and unit cohesion remain the cornerstone of victory,” he declared. Quoting German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, he added: “The best form of welfare for troops is first class training.”
On the seminar theme — “Galvanizing the Will to Fight: Issues and Transformative Solutions for the Armed Forces of Nigeria” — the CAS explained that the concept of will to fight transcends weapons. “It encompasses psychological stability, physical fitness, ideological conviction, and confidence in leadership,” he said.
Highlighting the NAF’s reforms, Air Marshal Abubakar disclosed that the Service has deepened its role in joint operations while prioritising the mitigation of civilian harm. He pointed to the revival of the Nigerian Air Force Surveillance Aircraft (NAFSA) Eagle Project — a light multi-role utility aircraft. “This initiative is aimed at enhancing self-reliance in aerospace technology and advancing domestic innovation in the aviation industry,” he revealed.
On welfare, he insisted that the Service has not relented. “We have embarked on massive accommodation projects across bases, established the Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics, enhanced medical facilities, expanded insurance cover, and ensured full kitting of personnel,” he said. He added that over 70 new vehicles were acquired in the past year to support both operations and administration, alongside institutionalised fitness initiatives to keep personnel physically ready.
Earlier, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Air Vice Marshal AH Amesinlola, praised the participants for their commitment to advancing transformative ideas. He said the seminar provided “a vital platform for cross-service collaboration, intellectual exchange, and innovative approaches to complex security challenges.”
While declaring the seminar open, the CAS expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for “consistently supporting the Armed Forces with modern platforms and an enabling environment to deliver on their constitutional mandate.” He urged participants to “deliberate productively and deliver outcomes that will strengthen the collective will to fight.”
CAS: Will to Fight, Not Just Weapons, Wins Wars
