NAF graduates nine new UAV operators to boost aerial precision and National security

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has graduated and decorated nine newly trained Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operators under Course 4 Batch B, strengthening its capacity for precision air operations and modern warfare.

The graduation and winging ceremony took place on 13 November 2025 at the 401 Flying Training School (401 FTS), Kaduna. The event marked another stride in NAF’s ongoing efforts to enhance its use of technology and intelligence in combating insecurity across the country.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Air Officer Commanding, Air Training Command, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Yusuf Dari, congratulated the officers for successfully completing what he described as a rigorous and highly technical course.

He said the ceremony was “a proud milestone” for the Service, adding that the new operators now shoulder the responsibility of defending the nation’s airspace with skill and integrity.

“The UAVs you will operate are not just machines; they are tools of protection, surveillance, and precision response,” he stated. “Operate with professionalism, execute with precision, and uphold our core values of discipline, service, and patriotism.”

The CAS emphasized that the training comes at a time when Nigeria continues to confront evolving threats from insurgents, terrorists, and criminal groups. He noted that UAVs now play a decisive role in gathering intelligence, improving situational awareness, and supporting precision strikes.

Air Marshal Aneke also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continuous support in modernizing the Air Force, stressing that technology-driven operations are key to success in today’s battlespace.

Commander of the 401 Flying Training School, Air Commodore Nasiru Mohammed Saidu, hailed the determination of the graduating officers, describing them as “a new generation of airmen ready to redefine Nigeria’s aerial intelligence and surveillance capabilities.”

He noted that the training had equipped them with vital skills for intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and precision targeting in support of ground operations.

Under Air Marshal Aneke’s leadership, the NAF has continued to invest in advanced training and innovation to strengthen its operational reach and efficiency. The addition of these nine UAV operators further demonstrates NAF’s commitment to smarter warfare, saving lives, and securing the nation through precision airpower.