Linus Aleke in Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has spent practically N18 billion on Jet A-1 aviation gasoline between November 2025 and September 2026 to maintain air operations in help of nationwide safety, the Service has revealed.
Security and aviation consultants stated the expenditure underscores the vital function of aviation gasoline in powering fight missions, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, in addition to air mobility operations throughout the nation.
In a press release highlighting the NAF’s operational successes to commemorate the primary 12 months anniversary of the incumbent Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed: “Between November 2025 and September 2026, the NAF recorded over 6,100 flying hours and greater than 2,900 sorties, consuming shut to 10 million litres of Jet A-1 gasoline in help of nationwide safety operations.
“These missions encompassed precision air strikes, armed reconnaissance, surveillance, shut air help and different duties designed to degrade hostile parts, disrupt their freedom of motion and improve the effectiveness of floor forces.
“Central to this effort has been intelligence-led mission planning, with operations guided by actionable intelligence, defined objectives and assessments of mission outcomes. The emphasis remains on ensuring that every sortie serves a clear operational purpose and contributes meaningfully to national security.”
Air Commodore Ejodame stated the NAF had recorded vital operational, personnel, coaching, infrastructure and power modernisation milestones underneath the management of Air Marshal Aneke as he approaches his first anniversary in workplace on 30 October 2026.
He careworn that, guided by the CAS’s command philosophy of sustaining a extremely motivated, skilled and mission-ready power able to delivering decisive airpower results in synergy with floor forces, the Service had pursued a targeted transformation agenda anchored on operational effectiveness, personnel welfare, technological development and institutional accountability.
Recognising personnel because the Service’s most respected asset, Air Marshal Aneke has positioned welfare on the coronary heart of his management philosophy, encapsulated in the precept of ‘Welfare for Enhanced Warfare.’
“This approach recognises that adequately supported, professionally developed and highly motivated personnel are essential to sustained operational effectiveness. Accordingly, the Service has pursued improvements in personnel allowances and medical support, alongside the provision of accommodation and the development of supporting infrastructure to enhance living and working conditions across its formations,” he stated.
Ejodame careworn that these initiatives, complemented by the reactivation of welfare airlift companies for personnel in frontline operational theatres, mirrored a deliberate dedication to strengthening morale, enhancing the well-being of personnel and their households, and enhancing readiness to discharge the NAF’s constitutional obligations of defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and defending its residents.
He additional disclosed that, in recognition {of professional} service and profession development, 57 senior officers had been promoted to the ranks of Air Vice Marshal and Air Commodore, whereas 1,534 senior non-commissioned officers and 1,936 non-commissioned officers had superior to larger ranks.
In addition, greater than 550 personnel had participated in worldwide coaching {and professional} engagements, whereas over 6,000 had obtained native coaching, strengthening specialised competencies, technical proficiency and management capability.
Beyond personnel improvement, the NAF has additionally superior efforts to modernise its fleet and enhance plane availability.
Ejodame stated, “In September 2026, the Service obtained 5 extra helicopters comprising three AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters and two H125 helicopters, increasing its operational flexibility and help capability. Beyond these deliveries, the Service is pursuing a broader acquisition programme that features 12 AH-1Z assault helicopters and different deliberate plane and unmanned aerial programs supposed to strengthen airlift, fight, coaching, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
“Maintenance and fleet regeneration efforts have also progressed, including the reactivation and upgrade of six L-39ZA aircraft in Slovakia and Nigeria, as well as the ongoing Periodic Depot Maintenance of a C-130 aircraft in Portugal. These efforts complement investments in technical support, indigenous upgrades and emerging aviation technologies.”
He added that security, accountability and the accountable employment of airpower remained vital pillars of the CAS’s transformation agenda.
According to the NAF spokesperson, the institution of an Operational and Safety Audit Committee is meant to help impartial assessments of operational, engineering and armament items. Meanwhile, a strengthened Safety Management System promotes management engagement, proactive threat administration and a data-driven security tradition.
The Service can also be advancing Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response by means of devoted constructions, standardised coaching, and enhanced evaluation and investigation capabilities, he stated.
“Plans to set up an Open-Source Intelligence Centre additional replicate the drive to enhance situational consciousness and operational planning by means of higher exploitation of accessible data and rising applied sciences.
“Infrastructure improvement and indigenous functionality stay central to sustaining these beneficial properties. The NAF has accepted 284 infrastructure initiatives, of which 145 have been accomplished and 139 stay ongoing. Covering residential lodging, tutorial and medical amenities, administrative and operational infrastructure, roads, energy, water provide and leisure amenities, these initiatives are designed to enhance personnel welfare and strengthen the Service’s operational and institutional capability.
“Complementing these investments are local production initiatives involving Aircraft Release Device 863 impulse release cartridges, a 250-kilogram bomb-loading trolley, and the development and ground testing of locally produced 57-millimetre rockets. Community-focused healthcare, educational and other special projects have also continued to strengthen civil-military relations and public confidence,” the assertion additional revealed.
As Air Marshal Aneke approaches his first anniversary in workplace, the NAF stays targeted on translating investments in personnel, platforms, coaching, expertise and infrastructure into tangible operational outcomes.
Ejodame stated that, by means of stronger joint operations, strategic partnerships, improved upkeep, skilled improvement and the accountable employment of airpower, the Service continued to pursue larger readiness and effectiveness in addressing Nigeria’s safety challenges.
He stated the target was not merely to increase functionality however to maintain an expert, accountable and responsive power ready to tackle evolving threats. He concluded that the enduring dedication remained clear: stronger airpower, safer skies and a safer Nigeria.
However, the assertion was silent on air mishaps, unintended killings of unarmed and Innocent civilians throughout air operations, and the variety of personnel who paid the supreme worth in defence of the nation inside the interval underneath assessment.
