The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, has highlighted the steps to be taken to strengthen the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

He has also reaffirmed the central role of transformation, innovation, and the will to fight in enhancing military effectiveness across the Armed Forces.

Speaking at the Third Quarter 2025 Defence Headquarters and Services Transformation Seminar held at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Thursday, 25 September 2025, Abubakar described the event as a milestone in advancing strategies for operational readiness and national defence.

He stated that personnel deployed across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones continue to stand firm in restoring peace, law, and order through joint and inter-agency operations.

Highlighting the seminar theme, “Galvanizing the Will to Fight: Issues and Transformative Solutions for the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” Air Marshal Abubakar stressed that victory in battle depends on more than advanced equipment and welfare.

“The best form of welfare for troops is first class training,” he quoted General Erwin Rommel, underscoring the importance of resilience, loyalty, trust, and unit cohesion as intangible assets that must be preserved.

He noted that NAF has taken deliberate steps to strengthen airpower application, boost training, introduce incentives for innovation, and resuscitate the NAF Surveillance Aircraft (NAFSA) Eagle Project to drive self-reliance in aerospace technology.

The CAS also underscored welfare as a major enabler of morale, citing initiatives such as massive accommodation projects, the establishment of the Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics, improved medical facilities, upgraded insurance schemes, and the procurement of over 70 operational vehicles in the last year.

He added that fitness initiatives and full kitting of personnel further ensure readiness for duty.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal AH Amesinlola, commended participants for their commitment to advancing transformative solutions, describing the seminar as a platform for cross-service collaboration and innovative problem-solving.

Declaring the seminar open, Air Marshal Abubakar expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support to the Armed Forces and urged participants to deliver outcomes that will strengthen the collective will to fight.