Valentine Okafor
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has marked another defining moment in its modernization drive with the graduation and winging of 9 newly trained Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operators under Course 4 Batch B.
The ceremony, held at the 401 Flying Training School (401 FTS), Kaduna, represents a significant step forward in NAF’s pursuit of smarter, technology-driven, and precision-led warfare designed to safeguard lives and secure the nation.
Representing the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Air Officer Commanding, Air Training Command, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Yusuf Dari, congratulated the graduating officers for completing a rigorous and highly technical training programme. In his address, the CAS described the ceremony as “a proud milestone for the Service,” underscoring that the newly winged operators now bear the responsibility of defending Nigeria’s airspace with professionalism, precision, and honour.
“The unmanned aerial vehicles you will be operating are not merely technological marvels; they are instruments of protection, surveillance, and, when necessary, precision response,” the CAS stated. “Operate with professionalism, execute with precision, and serve with honour. Every mission you undertake must reflect our core values of discipline, service, and patriotism.”
The CAS noted that the milestone comes at a time when Nigeria faces complex and evolving security threats from insurgents, terrorists, and organized criminal networks. He emphasized that UAVs now play a decisive role in modern warfare, providing real-time intelligence, enhancing situational awareness, and supporting precision engagement across multiple theatres of operation.
Air Marshal Aneke commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his steadfast support and investment in building an agile, capable, and technology-driven Air Force. “The Federal Government’s commitment to modernizing our air capabilities reflects a clear understanding that in today’s battlespace, precision, not brute force, defines success,” he affirmed. The CAS also lauded the Commander, 401 Flying Training School, Air Commodore Nasiru Mohammed Saidu, for his leadership and dedication to excellence in training, noting that the School continues to uphold NAF’s legacy of innovation and professionalism.
Earlier, Air Commodore Saidu praised the resilience and determination of the graduating UAV operators, describing them as “a new breed of airmen ready to redefine Nigeria’s aerial intelligence and surveillance capabilities.” He noted that the training has equipped them for vital missions including intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and precision engagement in support of surface operations. “This milestone is not just about wings on your chest,” he said. “It is about vision, responsibility, and service, you now represent the sharp edge of a smarter, stronger, and more strategic Nigerian Air Force.”
Under the visionary leadership of Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the NAF continues to expand its operational capabilities through technology integration, advanced training, and innovation-driven warfare. The graduation of the new UAV operators underscores the Service’s unwavering commitment to precision airpower for national security and the protection of Nigerian lives. As these new air warriors take to the skies, they embody the NAF’s transformation, flying smarter, saving lives, and serving with unflinching honour in the defence of the nation.