PICTORIAL: NAF Excited As Officer Bags Double Honours At West Africa Medical Conference

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced that one of its senior medical officers has secured two major honours at a regional professional conference, describing the feat as further evidence of the Service’s growing emphasis on excellence and capacity development.

In a statement shared on its official X handle on Monday, the Nigerian Air Force said Group Captain A.O. Akinuli distinguished himself at the Scientific Conference of the West African College of Surgeons (WACS).

The statement noted that the conference, organised under the Faculty of Dental Surgery, was held in Accra, Ghana, from February 8 to 12, 2026.

According to the Air Force, Akinuli, a specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, earned the accolades following his performance in the 2025 Fellowship Examinations. It added that he is a product of NAF-sponsored professional training and that his achievement reflects the Service’s sustained investment in advanced education and human capacity development.

The NAF further linked the success to its leadership vision, stating that Akinuli’s accomplishment aligned with the command philosophy of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, which places premium value on continuous learning, competence and mission-oriented professionalism.

At the conference, the officer clinched two prestigious awards: the Prof. Olayinka Otuyemi Prize for Best Dissertation Candidate in the 2025 Fellowship Examinations at first attempt, and the Prof. Emmanuel Oladapo-Adekeye Prize for Best Dissertation in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

The NAF stressed that the recognition goes beyond individual success, noting that the double honours underscored its commitment to nurturing innovation, scholarship and professional distinction. It added that the achievement reinforced the NAF’s reputation for producing world-class personnel while contributing to medical excellence within the West African sub-region.

The Service concluded that the development highlighted its continued investment in specialised training, positioning the Nigerian Air Force not only as a critical pillar of national security but also as a growing contributor to professional and medical advancement across the region.