At least 35 pilots have joined the ranks of flying officers in the Nigerian Air Force following their graduation from the 401 Flying Training School (FTS) in Kaduna.
The new pilots, who will be deployed for ‘national assignments’, according to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, are to be involved in the ongoing operations in different theatres.
According to Daily Trust, the graduation ceremony for the 35 new pilots took place just under six months following the announcement from the force’s officials about acquiring an extra 12 combat planes aimed at boosting their operational effectiveness.
In January 2025, NAF assessed the newly added assets to its fleet, which included two King Air 360i light transport planes, four T-129 ATAK helicopters, two Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters, and four DA-62 surveillance airplanes.
During a gathering with NAF veterans in Kaduna, Air Chief Abubakar emphasized that the force would soon be receiving an additional 24 M-346 fighter jets along with 10 more Agusta Westland AW109 Trekker helicopters from Italy.
According to our reporter, the newest entrants into the Basic Transport Flying Course 5 consist of 10 graduates, whereas the Ab-initio Student Pilot Course 49 includes 25 student pilots.
On Saturday, at the joint commencement ceremony, Abubakar addressed the freshly minted pilots, encouraging them to see their aviation credentials not just as individual achievements, but rather as ‘a serious duty towards the nation.’
The air chief stated, “Obtaining your flight certification isn’t merely an individual accomplishment; it’s a national duty. With both your rank and wings, you bear the aspirations of countless Nigerians relying on us for protection and security.”
The senior military officer stressed that the operational strength of the NAF is directly linked to the standard of its training, saying the force would not in anyway take training with levity in order to defeat emerging threats.
Within the Nigerian Air Force, it is often stated that the caliber of our training dictates the robustness of our missions. Therefore, with me at the helm, we are enhancing our training facilities, introducing additional aircraft, and refining our strategies to align with contemporary combat requirements.
“This commencement marks yet another step in the continuous evolution of the NAF into a more flexible, robust, and tech-oriented force,” said the service chief.
He praised the 401 FTS for nearly half a century of outstanding performance in pilot education, noting that throughout this period, they have trained over 700 pilots for the NAF, Nigerian Navy, as well as various nations across Africa such as the Republic of Benin, Cape Verde, Niger, Zimbabwe, and Sierra Leone.
The CAS further emphasized that NAF would continue to focus on strengthening professional capabilities, boosting personnel well-being, and fulfilling its constitutional duty to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity while contributing to national progress.
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