The Nigerian Air Force War College, Makurdi, has graduated 29 officers from Air War Course 11/2025, charging them to apply their knowledge and skills in providing innovative solutions to the nation’s security challenges.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, described the college as a citadel of operational art, critical thinking, and pragmatic military decision-making. He noted that the institution was established to train operational-level leaders capable of advancing the constitutional roles of the Nigerian Air Force and the Armed Forces as a whole.

The minister commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to equipping the Nigerian Air Force with the platforms and resources necessary to address security challenges. He also praised the college commandant, faculty, and staff for their dedication to shaping future military leaders.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Bala Abubakar, in his remarks, expressed confidence that the graduands had been adequately prepared to employ airpower effectively in contemporary and future security environments. He emphasized his vision to transform the Nigerian Air Force into an agile and resilient force, with deliberate training and mission-oriented development as key drivers.

Notably, the graduating class included international participants—two officers each from Cameroon and Botswana, one from Morocco, and two each from the Nigerian Army and Navy—underscoring the college’s growing regional relevance. Approval has also been granted for five more countries to participate in the next course.

In his welcome address, the Commandant of the Air War College, Air Vice Marshal Babatunde Phillips, described the graduation as the culmination of nine months of rigorous intellectual and professional training. He noted that the programme transforms officers from tacticians into strategists capable of addressing dynamic security challenges at both national and multinational levels.

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by Deputy Governor Sam Ode, lauded the Nigerian Air Force as a citadel of professionalism and commended its efforts in fighting insecurity nationwide. He expressed optimism that the newly trained officers would bring innovative strategies to strengthen peace and security across the country.