Hasan Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), has stressed that fiscal discipline and accountability are vital to strengthening Nigeria’s national security and ensuring the operational readiness of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

He made this point while declaring open the 2025 NAF Finance Conference and Retreat, held at the Nigerian Air Force School of Finance and Accounts (NAFSFA), Ajia-Ibadan.

The two-day programme, themed “Sustainable Resource Management for Effective Air Power Delivery”, brought together finance experts, defence stakeholders, and senior NAF officers to deliberate on prudent resource management in a challenging fiscal environment.

Abubakar described effective financial stewardship as both an administrative responsibility and a moral obligation. According to him, judicious resource utilisation directly impacts the Service’s capacity to train, equip, and deploy personnel for national defence.

“It is therefore incumbent upon every officer, from the highest levels of command to the junior cadre, to uphold and internalise the principles of accountability in all financial dealings. Accountability must be embraced as a collective responsibility for institutional integrity. It is a commitment to both the future of the Nigerian Air Force and the security of the nation,” the Air Chief stated.

He commended the Accounts and Budget Branch for convening the conference, noting that it offers a platform for innovation and knowledge-sharing to ensure that every naira allocated to the Service is used transparently and effectively.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Samuel Omenka, Special Adviser to the DG, warned that Nigeria’s defence sector must adapt to resource constraints by embracing strict budgeting and transparent financial practices.

“A disciplined financial culture within the NAF will not only reinforce operational readiness but also ensure that scarce resources are channelled towards maximum impact in national defence,” Omenka said.

The CAS also reflected on the importance of hosting the event at NAFSFA, which was commissioned earlier this year during the Service’s 61st anniversary. He described the school as a hub for professional development of finance officers and a resource centre of national relevance.

Abubakar further expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Oyo State for their support to the NAF, particularly Governor Seyi Makinde’s approval of the dualisation of the access road to the NAF Base in Ajia, describing it as a symbol of the enduring partnership between the State and the military.

Uche Nwagwu, Chief of Accounts and Budget, also emphasised the critical role of finance officers in maintaining credibility and efficiency within the Service.

“Our duty goes beyond balancing figures; it is about ensuring that every naira entrusted to us directly translates into operational capability and national security. This is the essence of stewardship that the Chief of the Air Staff has consistently emphasised,” he said.

The opening ceremony was attended by senior government officials, including Olubumi O, Head of Service of Oyo State, Kike Adegoke, State Accountant General, finance professionals, and other key stakeholders.

As part of the event, the CAS commissioned the NAF Finance Speciality Hall of Fame and toured facilities within the finance school alongside senior officers and dignitaries.