Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has stressed that fiscal discipline and accountability must be treated as cornerstones of national security and operational effectiveness.
By Chimezie Godfrey
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has stressed that fiscal discipline and accountability must be treated as cornerstones of national security and operational effectiveness.
He spoke in Ibadan on Thursday during the opening of the Nigerian Air Force Finance Conference and Retreat 2025, held at the NAF School of Finance and Accounts, Ajia.
According to Abubakar, the efficient management of resources is “not merely an administrative necessity but a moral imperative” that determines how effectively the Air Force can maintain readiness and execute directives.
“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,” he said, adding that accountability must be seen as “a collective responsibility for institutional integrity and for the security of the nation.”
The CAS recalled that the NAFSFA was commissioned earlier in the year during the Service’s 61st anniversary, underscoring its role as a hub for finance training and professional development. He equally commended Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for his support to the Service, especially the approval of the dualisation of the road to the Ajia Base.
In his contribution, Dr. Samuel Omenka, representing the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, stressed that “effective budgeting, transparency and accountability remain critical pillars for sustaining airpower capabilities in a resource-constrained era.”
Chief of Accounts and Budget, Air Vice Marshal Uche Nwagwu, added that finance officers must understand that “our duty goes beyond balancing figures; it is about ensuring that every naira entrusted to us directly translates into operational capability and national security.”
The retreat continues with expert sessions designed to build the capacity of NAF finance officers to embrace innovation and uphold fiscal responsibility in line with global standards.
