The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has graduated a new set of combat-ready Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operators.

The graduation, which took place at the 233 Wing Hangar in Kaduna, marks the completion of Operational Conversion Training Course 3/2024, and reinforces the NAF’s commitment to enhancing precision strikes and real-time intelligence gathering capabilities.

Representing Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, and Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Air Vice Marshal Patrick Obeya, described the training as a “strategic step forward” in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to dominate the battlespace, especially in the face of evolving security threats.

“This is not just a ceremony; it is a reaffirmation of our resolve to dominate the battlespace through precision ISR and coordinated joint operations.

“These young men and women are now key players in our mission to secure Nigeria from the skies,” Abubakar said.

Abubakar commended the newly graduated UAV operators for their resilience and dedication throughout the rigorous training process.

He emphasised that their graduation aligns with his leadership vision of creating a highly skilled, agile, and mission-ready force capable of tackling 21st-century security challenges.

“The Nigerian Air Force is counting on your competence, discipline, and sense of duty to deliver actionable intelligence and enable successful joint force operations,” he stated.

He also urged the graduands to embrace continuous learning and inter-disciplinary collaboration, noting that UAV operations are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

“Success in modern conflict requires not just flying skills, but the ability to fuse data, think strategically, and act decisively,” he said, adding that operational excellence today relies on seamless coordination between UAV pilots, engineers, intelligence analysts, and mission planners.

According to a statement by Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, the event was attended by senior military officials, family members, and well-wishers, all of whom gathered to celebrate the achievements of the new UAV operators.

The CAS described the graduation as “a crucial investment in national security” and a clear demonstration of the NAF’s proactive stance in leveraging technology to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity.