As with other good military forces all over the world, the raison d’etre for the Nigerian Air Force is to fight and win wars, whenever and wherever they occur. In addition, the Service exists to provide the government speedy response options in attaining its internal and external policy goals. To meet these expectations, the Service must be well-equipped, well-trained and well-led. My vision is to regenerate the Nigerian Air Force and make it a leading air force on the continent against these considerations.

The vision is anchored on 7 key drivers:

Leadership - The Service must be led by intellectually grounded, values-sensitive and professional persons at all levels. Men who will say “do as I do” and not “do as / say” on the conviction that what they are doing is right both in eyes of God and of men. Leaders who will put service before self.

Good Institutions - Any good community depends on the quality of its institutions - its schools; its courts; good disciplinary processes etc. We cannot generate good leaders without good institutions. Therefore our training schools must gird their loins and strive for higher standards. The traditions and customs of the Service must be restored and encouraged.

Training - Quality manpower is the most crucial factor in the assessment of the effectiveness of any organization. While we can buy aircraft and other equipment off the shelf if funds are made available, the same cannot be said for skilled manpower. Therefore, we consider the capacity to train across all specialties at all times a number one priority.

Values - An organization without values cannot withstand the vagaries of time. For a fighting force in particular, values constitute the sinews on which all other success factors hang. For the Nigerian Air Force we hold these values dear: honour, integrity, service and excellence. We must uphold these core values at all times even on the pain of death.

Welfare - Just as we demand of our officers and men high performance standards, so shall we strive to deliver on improved welfare package and facilities.

Reforms - The Service must embrace fully the ongoing reforms in the public sector where applicable. Our system should be a rules-based one. Therefore, due process and regularity should be the order of the day. Most importantly, rules must nut be bent to suit individuals and leaders must be prepared to take hard decisions.

Comradeship - The Nigerian Air Force has always been one family - the Air Force family. We must revive the old spirit of comradeship. Everybody must be his brother’s keeper.

In conclusion, the realization of this vision will entail vigorous advocacy on the part of every one of us. We cannot achieve much unless necessary resources are channeled to the Service to revamp ageing platforms and systems and to induct new ones. Therefore, we must vigorously sensitize the Government, the sister-Services and the polity on the need to have a capable air force. While training to fight jointly, we must “think blue” at all times and advance the cause of the Service wherever and whenever we have the opportunity to do so. The synergistic effects of jointness can be realized only when the Service is able to contribute maximally to joint operations. And to do so, it must be strong.