By Bavoriat Clara
The Minister of Defence, Dr. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, mni, has charged graduating officers of the Air War College to embrace innovation, foresight, and proactive leadership in addressing emerging security challenges confronting Nigeria and Africa.
Speaking on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, at the graduation ceremony of Air War Course 11/2025 in Makurdi, the Minister, represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said the evolving nature of modern warfare demands adaptable and forward-thinking leaders.
“The rise of violent non-state actors, asymmetric warfare, and complex security threats requires innovative and proactive methods to combat them,” he stated in a message conveyed through the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
Dr. Badaru commended the NAF for prioritising professional military education as a foundation for developing operational-level leaders, noting that the Air War College has also strengthened Nigeria’s defence ties with friendly nations through the participation of allied officers from Cameroon, Botswana, and Morocco.
He stressed that the threats of terrorism, insurgency, piracy, and organised crime demand highly trained and adaptive leaders who can deliver strategic responses that safeguard national and regional security.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, also addressed the graduands, urging them to approach the fight against terrorism with urgency and coordinated action. “The future of airpower rests in your hands, and your ability to employ it decisively will strike at the very centre of gravity of the adversary,” he declared.
Air Marshal Abubakar congratulated the 29 officers who successfully completed the 37-week course, which commenced on 15 January 2025, and was designed to prepare them as operational-level commanders capable of integrating the diplomatic, informational, military, and economic instruments of national power in planning and executing air operations.
In his welcome remarks, the Commandant of the Air War College, Air Vice Marshal Babatunde Phillips, described the graduation as the culmination of months of intellectual rigour and transformation. He urged the officers to translate their academic achievements into practical leadership.
The Executive Governor of Benue State, Reverend Father Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, represented by the Deputy Governor, Barrister Sam Ode, commended the NAF for its commitment to excellence in training and the sacrifices of the Armed Forces in defending the nation.
The graduation ceremony featured awards to outstanding participants, including Commander P.C. Onah, who emerged Overall Best and Best Research Paper awardee; Group Captain C.J. Mbam, who came Second Best; Wing Commander E.A. Okeke, who took Third Best; and Lieutenant Colonel P.N.E. Nguoa of Cameroon, who was recognised as Best Allied Participant.
The conferment of the Fellowship of the Air War College, Nigeria, on the graduating officers marked a major milestone in advancing airpower education, strengthening international cooperation, and reinforcing the nation’s defence capacity.
admin