By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has emphasised that fiscal discipline and accountability remain the bedrock of Nigeria’s national security architecture and the operational readiness of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
In an official signed statement, Director Public Relations and Information NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame disclosed that the CAS while speaking at the opening of the NAF Finance Conference and Retreat 2025 on Thursday, 11 September, at the NAF School of Finance and Accounts (NAFSFA), Ajia-Ibadan, said efficient management of resources is not just an administrative requirement but a moral imperative that underpins the ability of the Force to effectively train, equip and deploy personnel for national defence.
“When resources are managed with integrity and prudence, the NAF is better positioned to maintain readiness, train and equip personnel, and execute operational directives without financial encumbrances,” Air Marshal Abubakar stated. “It is therefore incumbent upon every officer, from the highest levels of command to the junior cadre, to uphold and internalise the principles of accountability in all financial dealings.”
The CAS described accountability as a collective responsibility that speaks to both the future of the Service and the security of the nation. Commending the Accounts and Budget Branch for convening the two-day retreat themed “Sustainable Resource Management for Effective Air Power Delivery”, he said the event was timely and strategic, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and innovation to ensure every fund entrusted to the Service is judiciously utilised.
Delivering the keynote address titled “Improving the NAF’s Budget and Financial Management Practices to Sustain Airpower Capabilities in a Resources-Constrained Era”, the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, represented by his Special Adviser, Dr Samuel Omenka, underscored the urgent need for resource optimisation amid competing national priorities. He insisted that effective budgeting, transparency, and accountability are critical pillars for sustaining airpower capabilities, adding that a disciplined financial culture would reinforce NAF’s operational readiness and guarantee that scarce resources are directed towards maximum impact in national defence.
Air Marshal Abubakar also reflected on the significance of hosting the retreat at the newly commissioned NAF School of Finance and Accounts, which was inaugurated earlier in the year as part of activities marking the Service’s 61st Anniversary. He said its selection validates the School’s role as a professional training hub for finance officers and a resource centre with national impact.
The CAS expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Oyo State for their consistent support, particularly Governor Seyi Makinde’s approval of the dualisation of the access road to the NAF Base in Ajia. He described the gesture as a symbol of the enduring partnership between the State and the Nigerian Air Force.
Chief of Accounts and Budget, Air Vice Marshal Uche Nwagwu, also stressed the pivotal role of finance officers in safeguarding the credibility and efficiency of the Service. According to him, the Finance Conference and Retreat provides personnel with an opportunity to sharpen skills, strengthen accountability practices, and embrace innovation in resource management. “Our duty goes beyond balancing figures; it is about ensuring that every naira entrusted to us directly translates into operational capability and national security. This is the essence of stewardship that the Chief of the Air Staff has consistently emphasised,” he said.
Dignitaries at the event included the Head of Service of Oyo State, Mrs Olubumi Oni; the Accountant General of Oyo State, Mrs Kike Adegoke; finance experts; senior NAF officers; and other stakeholders. The CAS, in company of other senior officers and guests, also conducted a tour of facilities at the NAFSFA and commissioned the NAF Finance Specialty Hall of Fame.
