Air Force Chief Seeks African-led Collective Response Against Terrorism

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to advancing African-led security cooperation and collective responses to emerging threats in the continent.

He made the commitment when he chaired the 2026 African Air Chiefs’ Symposium held in Tunis, Tunisia, from 11th-15th May, 2026.

The symposium, organised by the Association of African Air Forces (AAAF), brought together air chiefs, senior military leaders and strategic partners from across Africa to deepen collaboration in airpower development, interoperability, and coordinated security operations aimed at enhancing peace, stability and sustainable development on the continent.

In a statement by the NAF spokesperson, Air Cdre Ehimen Ejodame, the Air Chief stated that the theme of the symposium, “Operationalising the Association of African Air Forces: A New Era of Shared Responsibility,” reflected the urgent need for African nations to collectively develop practical and sustainable solutions to evolving security challenges.

He noted that terrorism, insurgency, transnational organised crime and humanitarian crises continue to threaten peace and prosperity in Africa, thereby necessitating stronger partnerships, intelligence sharing and enhanced operational coordination among African air forces.

Aneke said, “No single nation can effectively confront today’s complex security threats alone. Our collective strength lies in our ability to work together, share capabilities and build a united front against forces that threaten the peace and prosperity of our continent.”

The CAS highlighted that the symposium represents another significant step towards strengthening the operationalisation of the Association through active participation and shared commitment among member nations.

He referenced the successful conduct of the Table-Top Exercise during the African Air Chiefs’ Symposium 2025 in Zambia as a major milestone towards the planned Field Training Exercise scheduled for Kenya in February 2027, noting that such initiatives are critical to improving interoperability, operational readiness and coordinated responses to both security and humanitarian challenges across Africa.

The symposium featured strategic presentations and engagements on enhancing the effectiveness and responsiveness of African air forces in addressing contemporary security threats.

The Air Chief, on the sidelines of the symposium, engaged in several bilateral and multilateral meetings with partner air forces and international stakeholders to expand cooperation in training, joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism operations.

The engagements reinforced the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to building stronger strategic partnerships that will enhance operational effectiveness, support ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism efforts, and promote regional stability across the continent.