By Bavoriat Clara
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Monday, 6 October 2025, recorded another milestone in its transformation drive with the commissioning of the newly completed Headquarters NAF Annex Complex in Gudu, Abuja.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the new facility was established to decongest the overstretched NAF Headquarters in Garki. The project is a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, improving productivity, and enhancing the welfare of personnel. Beyond its administrative relevance, the new complex also reinforces the NAF’s capability to effectively project air power in defence of the nation.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Special Guest of Honour and Honourable Minister of Defence, Dr. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, mni, applauded the visionary leadership of the NAF, describing the project as a reflection of resilience, foresight, and a deep commitment to institutional growth. He noted that since its establishment in 1964, the Nigerian Air Force has witnessed remarkable expansion in scope and responsibility, creating the need for additional administrative and operational structures.
Dr. Badaru further explained that relocating key branches such as the Air Secretary, Standards and Evaluation, Transformation and Innovation, as well as the 051 Personnel Management Group and an Annex of the Chief of the Air Staff’s Office, would not only reduce congestion but also strengthen the Service’s administrative efficiency. “This Annex reflects the Air Force’s culture of excellence and long-term vision,” the Minister remarked, commending the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, for aligning the project with his Command Philosophy of maintaining a highly motivated force through welfare-driven and infrastructure-based transformation.
In his address, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, noted that the Gudu Annex was deliberately acquired and remodelled to promote a conducive work environment and improve coordination among departments. He stressed that the project underscores the Service’s unwavering commitment to excellence and personnel welfare. “The commissioning of the Headquarters NAF Annex stands as a testament to our dynamism, resilience, and forward-looking posture,” he added.
Both the Minister and the Chief of the Air Staff expressed appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his unwavering support and strategic investment in the ongoing reforms within the nation’s security sector. The Minister of Defence later performed the official commissioning of the Headquarters NAF Annex Complex, dedicating it to the glory of God and the service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sani, described the commissioning of the Headquarters NAF Annex as more than the unveiling of a building, but a defining milestone in the continuous transformation and dynamic evolution of the Nigerian Air Force.
The event attracted several dignitaries, including the Acting Chairman, Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Augustine Akobundu; Chairman, House Committee on Air Force, Honourable Kabiru Al-Hassan Rurum; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; other Service Chiefs, and senior officers from across the Armed Forces.
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