By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening defence collaboration with China, following a courtesy visit by the Defence Attaché of China, Senior Colonel Ouyang Haisheng, to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, at Headquarters NAF in Abuja on 25 March 2026.
During the engagement, Air Marshal Aneke emphasised the strategic importance of international military partnerships in enhancing training, technology transfer, and operational capacity development. He noted that such collaborations are crucial to the NAF’s transformation agenda, enabling the Service to build a highly professional, mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in coordination with other security agencies.
The CAS highlighted that deepening ties with global partners not only strengthens Nigeria’s internal security architecture but also contributes to regional stability and international peacekeeping efforts. He reiterated the NAF’s focus on modernisation, innovation, and the adoption of emerging technologies as key pillars of operational effectiveness.
Senior Colonel Haisheng lauded the ongoing cooperation between China and the Nigerian Air Force, expressing his country’s readiness to continue supporting initiatives that advance capacity building, professionalism, and technological development within the Service. The visit was described as a significant step towards reinforcing bilateral defence relations and exploring new avenues for strategic military engagement.
