The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to bolstering Safety Management Systems (SMS) throughout all its units, with a particular emphasis on operational and engineering sectors. Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Chief of The Air Staff (CAS), made this announcement during the commencement of the NAF Safety Review Board (SRB) meeting for the year 2023 at NAF Headquarters in Abuja earlier today.
Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, relayed that Air Marshal Abubakar highlighted safety management as a top priority and a core function within the NAF. Emphasizing the technical and intricate nature of the assigned tasks and roles, Abubakar affirmed, “The NAF is fully committed to developing, implementing, and reviewing policies to ensure that NAF operations and other activities are conducted in a safe environment.”
The CAS further articulated his vision to transform the NAF into an agile and resilient force capable of meeting national security airpower demands across all operational environments, with safety serving as the foundational principle. He expressed a dedication to continuous improvement in safety standards through deliberate programs aimed at enhancing flight safety, as well as occupational and domestic safety within the NAF.
Air Marshal Abubakar acknowledged the commitment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration towards modernizing the NAF with state-of-the-art platforms to combat terrorism, insurgency, and criminal activities nationwide. He disclosed that some of these newly acquired platforms have already arrived in the country, asserting that they will augment the NAF’s combat capabilities and operational tempo, thereby necessitating heightened safety vigilance.
Recognizing the potential increase in hazards associated with heightened operational tempo, in accordance with ICAO’s principles, the CAS urged proactive safety management in all units. He specifically directed operational units receiving the new NAF aircraft to aggressively identify and manage associated hazards. Air Marshal Abubakar, who also chairs the NAF Safety Review Board, stressed the importance of field commanders ensuring that safety training translates into a positive safety culture, improved safety practices, and heightened awareness of safety responsibilities among all personnel.
Air Vice Marshal Michael Onyebashi, the NAF Chief of Standards and Evaluation, explained that the SRB is designed to discuss and review safety policies, allocate resources for enhanced safety standards, and provide directives and guidelines for instilling a positive safety culture in the NAF. With the introduction of new platforms, Onyebashi underscored the imperative for elevated safety standards in all operational units.
Key highlights of the meeting included a presentation on Safety Management System and Human Factors by Air Vice Marshal Gabriel Odesola (Rtd), a review of the NAF Safety Outlook, and briefings by various Air Officers Commanding.
