The Minister of Defence, Dr. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has charged officers of Air War Course 11/2025 to rise to the demands of modern warfare by embracing innovation, foresight, and proactive leadership.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Air War College in Makurdi on Tuesday, September 24, 2025, the Minister—represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa—described the graduates as “frontline thinkers and doers in Nigeria’s security architecture.”
He warned that the rise of violent non-state actors, asymmetric warfare, and transnational threats such as terrorism, insurgency, piracy, and organised crime demand urgent adaptation. “The Nigerian Air Force has been at the forefront of addressing these challenges, and your training here has prepared you to make decisive contributions to national and regional security,” he told the graduands.
Dr. Badaru praised the Air War College for its role in advancing professional military education, while also noting the significance of allied participation by officers from Cameroon, Botswana, and Morocco. “This collaboration is vital in building synergy against extremist and criminal networks destabilising Africa,” he added.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, urged the officers to confront terrorism with urgency: “The task at hand is to ensure that terrorism anywhere is defeated before it undermines peace everywhere. The future of airpower rests in your hands.”
Air Marshal Abubakar celebrated the graduation of 29 senior officers, describing them as the “torchbearers of future airpower.” The 37-week course, which commenced on January 15, 2025, sharpened their expertise in leadership, strategy, joint operations, and cyber warfare, culminating in their conferment with the Fellowship of the Air War College, Nigeria.
Earlier, Commandant of the Air War College, Air Vice Marshal Babatunde Phillips, hailed the intellectual rigour of the course and urged participants to apply their knowledge in practical leadership. Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia—represented by his Deputy, Barrister Sam Ode, mni—commended the NAF for its sacrifices in defence of the nation.
Graduation Highlights:
”Cdr PC Onah – Overall Best & Best Research Paper Award
”Gp Capt CJ Mbam – Second Best
”Wg Cdr EA Okeke – Third Best
”Lt Col PNE Nguoa (Cameroon) – Best Allied Participant”.
The graduation reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to advancing airpower education, fostering international collaboration, and safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Defence Minister To Air War College Graduands: “Embrace Innovation, Lead Proactively”
