The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has achieved a significant safety milestone, recording a full year without any aircraft mishap—an outcome attributed to deliberate reforms and a strong institutional safety culture.
According to Director of Public Relations and Information Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, this was disclosed by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, during the 2025 Safety Review Board (SRB) Meeting held on 22 July at the Air Marshal MD Umar Blue Room, Headquarters NAF, Abuja.
Air Marshal Abubakar described the development as the result of proactive safety policies, rigorous training, and enhanced oversight, rather than coincidence. “This is a significant achievement that reflects the collective commitment and vigilance of our personnel,” he said. “Safety is an ongoing process that requires foresight, innovation, and accountability.”
The CAS revealed that more than 1,300 airmen and 157 officers received comprehensive safety training in 2025 alone, raising the total number of trained personnel to 1,199. He stressed the need to universalize safety education and align operational capabilities with resilient safety infrastructure. “Regardless of how advanced an aircraft is, its effectiveness depends on the safety environment in which it operates,” he noted.
Air Marshal Abubakar also urged senior commanders to lead by example and avoid complacency. He emphasized that aviation incidents are often preventable and stem from lapses in judgment, communication, or procedural adherence.
Commending the efforts of Air Officers Commanding for sustaining quarterly Safety Action Group meetings, he called for increased accountability and vigilance at the unit level.
In his remarks, the Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Air Vice Marshal Abidoye, highlighted key safety initiatives, including evaluation visits to 58 units and safety inspections at 31 units in the first half of 2025. He also reported that multiple safety awareness seminars were held across various commands to entrench safety consciousness.
The meeting ended with a renewed pledge by NAF leadership to institutionalize safety as a core value and operational standard.
