The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has disclosed that the Service is protected to exceed 30,000 personnel in 2030.
He said the Service has recorded 86 per cent increase in personnel in the last 13 months.
CAS Abubakar spoke at the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Administration and Personnel Seminar 2025 with the theme “Optimising contemporary HR to enhance on-going transformation initiatives of the NAF”.
He assured Nigerians that the Nigerian Air Force remained unwavering in its commitment to national security and the total defeat of terrorism and banditry. “Our relentless operations against criminal elements reaffirm our determination to protect innocent lives and restore peace across the nation. Let me make it clear that airpower will extend the long arm of the law, bringing justice to criminals hiding in ungoverned space. We will find, fix and strike all those who take arms against the State, and we will not relent until Nigeria is safe for all.”
According to the Air Chief, the NAF has manpower strength of officers to airmen ratio of one to six.
He said, “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has experienced remarkable growth over the past 13 years, with an 86% increase in its overall population. Notably, the number of airmen and airwomen has doubled since 2013, driven by higher intake rates to meet operational demands.
“The most significant growth surge occurred between 2017 and 2020 and currently, the officer-to-airmen ratio stands at approximately 1:6. Under my watch, over 530 officers were commissioned and about 2,300 airmen were recruited.
“If we maintain this growth rate, the NAF is projected to exceed 30,000 personnel by 2027. This rapid increase in staff numbers underscores the need for modern, computerized Human Resource Management and proactive Administration.”
He added that the rapid growth also called for better career management, personnel record keeping, performance evaluation, accommodation, healthcare and more welfare incentives, as these factors will remain critical for maintaining operational readiness, job satisfaction and high morale.
Abubakar reiterated that a sound administration and effective personnel management form the bedrock of successful military operations.
He emphasised that the human element is the cornerstone of any organisation, adding that a well-managed workforce was essential for ensuring the right skills are available, strategically deployed at the right time and place, to achieve mission objectives effectively.
“Accordingly, the effectiveness of our pilots, engineers, and operational elements depends on the foundation laid by administrative personnel who manage career progression, enforce discipline, and provide welfare support. Without this strong administrative backbone, even the most brilliant strategies, advanced platforms or innovative technologies cannot deliver their intended outcomes, no matter the size of the Air Force,” he said.
He outlined some policy efforts aimed at improving personnel management and administration under his leadership to include the purchase of an office complex in Gudu, which will house the Air Secretary Branch and a few other Branches.
He said the building will also accommodate the Personnel Management Group, which will be relocated to Abuja by the second quarter of this year.
The Air Chief added that the relevant Branches have been alive to their responsibilities, promulgating policy directives in the form of seven Admin Instructions and 12 Air Secretary Instructions between June 23 and December 24.
On welfare, he said the NAF has made significant strides, including better-equipped medical facilities, improved accommodation, enhanced insurance policies and affordable housing schemes.
“It is noteworthy that a total of 2,972 personnel benefited from newly constructed or renovated accommodation facilities in the past one and a half years.”
These measures, he added, were intended to enhance administrative efficiency and bring services closer to personnel.
Abubakar said achieving such milestones undoubtedly demands deliberate investment in human capacity building.
“Since I assumed office, the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Administrative Management has trained 601 personnel, including 70 officers and 531 airmen and airwomen,” he stated.
He said the institute also conducted various courses, including the Initial Personnel and Admin Officers Course and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Leadership and Management Course, as well as specialized programs designed for administrative trades and specialties.
“Despite these efforts, challenges such as Absence Without Leave, drug abuse and substance misuse, as well as the negative influence of social media, continue to pose challenges. This seminar offers a valuable opportunity to evaluate our current practices and explore innovative approaches to tackle these challenges,” he added.
The Air Chief emphasised the need to revive NAF efforts to computerise Personnel Management Group for seamless record-keeping and to upgrade our accommodation management software to ensure equitable and efficient resource distribution.
Relatedly, he said, integrating data analytics to forecast manpower needs alongside implementing digital platforms for training and career development, would significantly enhance decision-making, optimise resource allocation, and boost overall operational efficiency.
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