The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening aviation safety across all its units, while cautioning against complacency and operational lapses that could undermine recent gains.
This issue came to the fore at the first Safety Review Board (SRB) meeting for 2025, held in Abuja, where senior officers reviewed performance metrics, emerging threats, and new initiatives aimed at improving safety outcomes within the service.
In his opening remarks, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, lauded the NAF for achieving a significant milestone, recording zero aircraft accidents since the last SRB session in December 2024.
He noted that this progress reflects the maturing culture of safety within the organisation, crediting commanders and personnel for their vigilance and professionalism.
However, the Air Chief emphasised that despite this achievement, several operational concerns persist.
He identified recurring issues within the F-7Ni, MI-171, and UAV fleets, which accounted for 70 per cent of platform-related incidents as well as damage sustained by the A-29 Super Tucano and T-129 ATAK helicopters during operations.
These, he said, were largely due to increased operational tempo in the North-East, a shortage of experienced pilots, and an influx of less experienced technicians.
He further noted incidents of fire outbreaks affecting UAV platforms, residential quarters, and operational areas, attributing the causes to electrical faults, bush burning, and power surges.
In response, the CAS unveiled a series of reforms aimed at repositioning the NAF’s safety framework, including the decision to hold SRB meetings twice yearly instead of once, and to convene Safety Action Group meetings quarterly.
He also commissioned eight refurbished fire trucks across various NAF units and ensured that fire personnel were trained and equipped with modern firefighting gear to enhance emergency response capabilities.
Abubakar emphasised the shift from reactive safety practices to predictive, data-driven models, stating that over 1,400 NAF personnel have received safety induction and SMS (Safety Management System) training so far in 2025, and the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Safety (NAFIS) in Ipetu-Ijesha has become a centre of excellence in aviation safety, currently hosting officers from the Army, Navy, and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.
“Future training cycles are expected to attract more participation from civil aviation stakeholders. To support this shift, the Standards and Evaluation Branch has established a Safety Data Collection and Processing Committee to streamline how safety data is gathered and analysed.
“A newly developed software application for tracking aircrew medicals is also helping improve flight crew safety readiness”, Abubakar said.
Olasunkanmi Abidoye, Chief of Standards and Evaluation, in his address, highlighted the SRB’s role as the apex body within the NAF’s Safety Management Structure, responsible for formulating policies, guiding implementation, and reviewing incidents to bolster the safety culture.
He thanked the CAS for their support and highlighted ongoing infrastructure improvements across the Service.
He also noted the increased safety awareness among personnel, driven by campaigns, training, and safety inspections that showed improvements in adherence to SMS protocols.
He emphasised the ongoing risks posed by human factors, including communication failures, judgment lapses, and mental health issues, which remain significant contributors to aviation incidents globally.
He called for continuous training, strict supervision, and a culture of openness that encourages personnel to report safety issues without fear of punishment.
He urged board members to approach the deliberations with a sense of duty and purpose, reminding them that aviation accidents are often the result of preventable oversights.
He expressed confidence that the meeting’s outcomes would further strengthen the NAF’s safety architecture and support the service’s broader strategic objectives.
