- NAF projects more than 30,000 personnel by 2027
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshall Hasan Abubakar, has reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to national security to make the country safe for all.
Abubakar said this at the opening of the NAF administration personnel seminar with the theme: Optimising Contemporary Human Resources to Enhance Ongoing Transformation Initiatives of the NAF, yesterday in Abuja.
The CAS expressed the unwavering commitment of the NAF to total defeat of terrorism and banditry.
He said NAF’s relentless efforts against criminal elements showed its firm determination to protect lives and restore peace across the country.
“Let me make it clear that air power will extend the long arm of the law, bringing justice to criminals hiding in ungoverned spaces.
“We will fight, fix, and strike all those who take arms against the state. I will not relax until Nigeria is safe for all,” Abubakar said.
The CAS expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for the NAF.
He noted that Absence Without Leave (AWOL), drug abuse and substance misuse, as well as the negative influence of social media pose challenges to the service.
Abubakar said the seminar offered a valuable opportunity to evaluate the current practices in NAF and explore innovative approaches to tackle those challenges.
The CAS urged the participants to think creatively and propose actionable solutions that could aid progress and advancement in the service.
Also yesterday, Air Marshall Abubakar has said the NAF would have more than 30,000 personnel by 2027, marking a significant leap in its manpower demands.
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The CAS spoke at the opening of the NAF administration personnel seminar in Abuja.
He said the NAF had experienced remarkable growth in the past 13 years, with an 86 per cent increase in its overall population.
According to him, the numbers of airmen and airwomen have doubled since 2013, driven by higher intake rates to meet operational demands.
“The most significant growth surge occurred between 2017 and 2020 and, currently, the officer-to-airmen ratio stands at approximately 1:6.
“Under my watch, more than 530 officers were commissioned and about 2,300 airmen were recruited.
“If we maintain this growth rate, the NAF is projected to exceed 30,000 personnel by 2027,” Abubakar said.