The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) High Command has reaffirmed its commitment to aviation safety through a series of deliberate reforms aimed at institutionalizing a culture of operational discipline, foresight, and professionalism.

This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by the spokesperson of the service, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

According to the statement, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, gave the assurance while speaking during the 2025 Safety Review Board (SRB) Meeting held in Abuja.

The statement noted that during the meeting, the CAS disclosed NAF’s remarkable achievement of marking a full year without an aircraft mishap.

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It pointed out that, while describing the development as a reflection of deliberate institutional reforms, Air Marshal Abubakar noted that the absence of air mishaps over the past 12 months was not fortuitous but rather the result of a proactive safety culture.

According to him, “This is a significant achievement—one that underscores the collective commitment and vigilance of our personnel. Safety is not a one-time achievement but a continuous process requiring foresight, innovation, and accountability.”

“The NAF’s safety success stems from a combination of strategic interventions, including expanded safety training, enhanced command-level oversight, and the adoption of predictive safety management practices.

“In 2025 alone, over 1,300 airmen and 157 officers have undergone comprehensive safety induction and awareness training, bringing the total number of safety-trained personnel to 1,199.”

“Our goal is to make safety education universal within our ranks,” the Air Marshal noted, emphasizing the need for sustained investment in human capacity alongside technological advancements.

He further stressed the importance of aligning operational capability with a resilient safety infrastructure. “No matter how advanced an aircraft may be, its effectiveness is ultimately determined by the safety environment in which it operates,” the CAS stated.

As the Federal Government continues to enhance Nigeria’s airpower with modern platforms, the NAF remains focused on ensuring these assets operate within the highest safety parameters.

Air Marshal Abubakar called on senior commanders to lead by example, stressing that safety must never be reduced to a procedural formality.

According to him, “We must remain vigilant and avoid the trap of complacency. Most aviation accidents are not caused by fate, but by lapses in judgment, communication, or adherence to procedures,” he warned.

Commending the efforts of Air Officers Commanding in sustaining quarterly Safety Action Group meetings, he also urged greater accountability and activity at the unit level, underscoring that the responsibility for safety must be shared and internalized across the force.

The statement added that, in his welcome remarks, the Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Air Vice Marshal Abidoye, provided insight into the operational backbone of the NAF’s safety system.

According to him, “With the support of the CAS, we conducted evaluation visits to 58 units in the first half of 2025 and completed safety inspections in 31.” He further disclosed that safety awareness seminars had been held across multiple commands, reinforcing the culture of safety consciousness.

The SRB meeting closed with a renewed commitment from leadership to institutionalize safety as a core value—not just a metric of performance.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE