Ken Okeke
Demonstrating its dedication to strengthening indigenous technology and innovation, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) launched its 2024 Research and Development (R&D) Retreat on 5 November 2024 at NAF Headquarters. The 2-day Retreat brings together esteemed experts and key stakeholders, and focuses on advancing homegrown technology to enhance national defence capabilities. With the theme “Exploring Indigenous Technology and Innovation Towards Driving NAF Transformation,” the event aligns with the Chief of the Air Staff’s Command Philosophy, which emphasizes cutting-edge R&D, strategic partnerships, and applying valuable lessons learned.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, spoke on the central role of R&D in reducing foreign dependence and strengthening self-sustained operational capabilities. His firsthand experiences as a field commander underscored the necessity of this shift, especially as the NAF prepares to incorporate 50 new aircraft between 2024 and 2026. He noted that building indigenous capacity for aircraft manufacturing and maintenance will be essential to sustaining NAF’s fleet sustenance and operational effectiveness. The Retreat, he said, provides a crucial platform for experts to “generate ideas that will transform the Nigerian Air Force’s R&D efforts from initial concepts to tangible, operational outcomes.”
The Chief of the Air Staff also recognized key strategic partnerships, notably with UAVision of Portugal and Serbia’s Zenith Prom, aimed at technology transfer and indigenous production. “Recent advancements include the TSAIGUMI UAV project and the development of the Nigerian Air Force Integrated Management System (NAFIMS), designed to unify digital platforms and streamline decision-making”, he added. Before declaring the Retreat open, the CAS expressed profound appreciation to His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President, Commander-in-Chief, for his unwavering support for the NAF’s transformation into an agile and resilient force that effectively meets the airpower demands of Nigeria’s national security in all operational environments.
Welcoming participants, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Amesinlola, emphasized the role of the Transformation and Innovation Branch in coordinating NAF’s R&D efforts, noting that the branch was established and empowered under the Chief of the Air Staff’s leadership. Reflecting on NAF’s progress in R&D since its last retreat in 2015, AVM Amesinlola called attention to NAF’s recent achievements in drone technology, weapon development, and spares fabrication. “This Retreat,” he highlighted, “accords us the opportunity to generate new ideas and approaches towards prioritizing R&D, cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships in support of the Chief of the Air Staff’s ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Air Force.” He expressed enthusiasm for the involvement of stakeholders who will contribute valuable insights on moving R&D concepts from prototype to operationalization.
The Retreat showcased 6 R&D projects, selected for their potential impact on NAF operations. Guests, including industry experts, took a tour of the R&D projects which were on display. The display serves as an interactive component of the Retreat, encouraging constructive feedback on the transition of projects from conceptualization to operationalization and possibly commercialization. With a vision set on transitioning ideas into reality, NAF’s 2024 R&D Retreat is expected to yield recommendations that will further elevate the force’s R&D capabilities, reinforcing NAF’s role in Nigeria’s security and technological advancement.
