The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recorded a significant milestone in its operational history, completing 12 consecutive months without a single aircraft mishap.
This was announced during the 2025 Safety Review Board (SRB) meeting held on Tuesday, 22nd July, at the Air Marshal MD Umar Blue Room, NAF Headquarters in Abuja.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, described the feat as the outcome of consistent reforms, strict adherence to operational procedures, and the cultivation of a proactive safety culture.
“Marking a full year without an aircraft mishap by the NAF is a remarkable development,” the CAS stated. “It reflects our commitment to safety, discipline, and professionalism across all levels of command.”
Air Marshal Abubakar noted that aviation accidents are rarely matters of chance. Rather, they often result from preventable lapses such as poor judgment, inadequate communication, or failure to comply with established protocols.
He added that the NAF’s success was not coincidental but followed deliberate safety strategies, including intensified training, better supervisory mechanisms, and the deployment of predictive safety management tools.
“In 2025 alone, over 1,300 airmen and 157 officers have undergone safety induction and awareness training,” he disclosed, adding that the NAF now boasts 1,199 safety-trained personnel. “Our goal is to make safety education universal within our ranks.”
He cautioned, however, that safety must never be treated as a one-off accomplishment. “Safety is not a one-time achievement but a continuous process requiring foresight, innovation, and accountability. No matter how advanced an aircraft may be, its effectiveness is ultimately determined by the safety environment in which it operates.”
As Nigeria continues to expand its aerial capabilities through the acquisition of new aircraft, the CAS reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to ensuring that all platforms operate within the strictest safety frameworks.
Air Marshal Abubakar also called on senior officers to take personal responsibility for safety leadership, urging commanders to set the standard for vigilance and discipline. He praised Air Officers Commanding for sustaining quarterly Safety Action Group meetings and called for stronger safety monitoring at the unit level.
In his address, the Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Air Vice Marshal Abidoye, gave an update on inspection activities.
He said that evaluation visits had been carried out in 58 units, while safety inspections were conducted in 31 within the first half of 2025. According to him, safety awareness seminars held across NAF commands had significantly reinforced a safety-first mindset among personnel.
The meeting concluded with a renewed pledge by the leadership to institutionalise safety as a central operational value, ensuring that the Nigerian Air Force not only maintains but also builds upon its current safety record.
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