By Michael .A Owigho
The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on 19th of June 2023 appointed Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar as the 22nd Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
Upon assuming office on the 22nd of June 2023, Air Marshal HB Abubakar immediately introduced a new blueprint and leadership direction for the NAF. In recognition of the weight of his mandate,
the CAS brought to bear his wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise to shape a new leadership guidance, anchored on effective command and control mechanism to drive in initiatives and foresights in order to attain strategic goals.
The CAS subsequently undertook a comprehensive assessment of the NAF, analyzing past achievements, current challenges, and future prospects. Informing his decision to overhaul all aspects of the NAF, particularly areas such as administration, operations, training, and logistics, in order to eliminate inherent systemic gaps, while streamlining operations and realigning with dynamic demands of modern warfare.
The strategic leadership style became imperative given the NAF’s central role in countering diverse security challenges occasioned by acts of terrorism, banditry, militancy, and other forms of criminality. According to Air Marshal Abubakar, restructuring was intended to reposition and re-strategize the NAF to effectively adapt to the dynamic and complex nature of modern operational environments. He emphasized that maximizing jointness and operational synergy whether in combined or independent operations is critical for a successful mission.
The comprehensive overhaul of the Service’s operations laid the foundation for Air Marshal HB Abubakar’s command philosophy which is christened, “To transform the Nigerian Air Force into an agile and resilient force that effectively meets the airpower demands of national security in all operational environments.” The command philosophy mirrors Jeff Davis’s postulation that transformational leadership is a leadership style which foster professionalism, innovation and commitment to inspire others to achieve their full potential while fulfilling organizational goals. He further affirms that transformational leadership is practical and effective approach in driving excellence within an institution.
Worthy to admit that Air Marshal HB Abubakar’s command philosophy centres on transformation which is moving beyond outdated methods, techniques, and objectives to embrace innovative concepts aligning with the NAF’s mission: “To ensure the integrity of the airspace by gaining and maintaining control of the air while retaining a credible capacity to fulfill other airpower tasks demanded by national defence and security imperatives.”
Pertinently, the CAS possesses the right leadership vision, charisma, and determination needed to elevate the NAF to new heights. His integration of transformational leadership principles across all aspects of the NAF underscores his commitment to maximizing the capabilities of personnel in order to enhance the force’s operational performance.
As a seasoned military leader, Air Marshal HB Abubakar brings more than three decades of expertise to foster a more mission oriented and mission ready Air Force . So far, his leadership style has demonstrated a strong sense of purposeful and strategic focus, enabling the NAF to evolve into a regional model in the effective deployment of air power. In the light of these developments, this article seeks to highlight key milestones in Air Marshal HB Abubakar’s journey to transform the NAF into an agile and resilient force.
It is two years down the lane, since Air Marshal HB Abubakar took-over the mantle of leadership as the 22nd Chief of the Air Staff. Thus, the scorecard takes a critical evaluation of the transformational leadership approach of Air Marshal HB Abubakar, with specific focus on the five key enablers of his command philosophy. These enablers include: optimizing force structure and establishment for enhanced operational effectiveness; deliberate training and mission-oriented force development; proactive logistics support and a strong maintenance culture; prioritizing research and development leveraging cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships and lessons learnt; and maintaining a highly motivated force by enhancing welfare and infrastructural renewal.
These enablers are evident in the numerous achievements recorded under the transformational leadership of Air Marshal HB Abubakar, aimed at strengthening the NAF’s capabilities to address current and emerging security challenges. Being a seasoned strategic leader and executor, Air Marshal HB Abubakar’s impact is already evident across the five strategic pillars of his command philosophy, which some of these notable achievements are enumerated as follows:
Optimizing Force Structure and Enhancing Operational Effectiveness
Under his watch, the NAF expanded its airpower capabilities with the acquisition and induction of several key platforms: 2 King Air 360i light transport aircraft, 6 T-129 ATAK helicopters, 2 AgustaWestland 109 Trekker helicopters, 4 Diamond-62 surveillance aircraft, and many others. Further acquisitions between 2025 and 2026 will include: 24 M-346 Fighter Aircraft, 12 AH-1Z Viper Helicopters, 9 AgustaWestland 109 Trekker Helicopters, and additional CASA 295 transport aircraft.