NAF Deepen Global Training Partnerships As CAS Leads Strategic Visit To Canadian Aviation Institutions

Aviation Institutions. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, led a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) delegation on a strategic facility visit to the International Test Pilots School and the International Tactical Training Centre in London, Ontario, Canada, in a decisive move to advance the Service’s operational capability development agenda. The visit underscored the NAF’s commitment to deepening international defence cooperation and adopting global best practices to enhance mission effectiveness.

Key areas of engagement included fighter lead-in training, helicopter tactical training, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operator development, technical training support, as well as flight test training and collaborative research initiatives.

During the engagements, Air Marshal Aneke emphasised the importance of building enduring partnerships that would accelerate the professional growth of NAF personnel and improve the Service’s technological edge. He noted that “the Nigerian Air Force remains resolute in its pursuit of operational excellence through strategic collaboration with globally recognised training institutions. This visit reflects our deliberate effort to strengthen capacity development, enhance airpower effectiveness, and ensure the sustained modernisation of our platforms and human capital.”

The discussions also explored collaborative opportunities in the overhaul and upgrade of NAF aircraft, alongside the development of advanced flight simulator systems tailored to the Service’s evolving operational requirements.

NAF

In response, the host institutions commended the Nigerian Air Force for its proactive approach to capability enhancement and expressed readiness to support the Service’s transformation drive. Representatives highlighted the value of structured cooperation in specialised aviation training and technological integration, noting that such partnerships would foster mutual growth and knowledge exchange.

The visit further reinforced the NAF’s strategic vision under Air Marshal Aneke’s leadership to build a technologically driven, highly professional, and globally connected air force capable of meeting contemporary security challenges.

Spain: NAF Advances Tactical Airlift Capability Through Strategic Operational Engagement With Airbus

Strategic operational engagement with airbus in Spain. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, led a high-level delegation on an official visit to Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Spain from 14–18 March 2026 as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the Service’s tactical and medium airlift capability.

Central to the engagements were discussions on the potential acquisition of the CASA C-295 aircraft to strengthen operational mobility in support of counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.

At the 35th Wing of the Spanish Air and Space Force, Getafe Air Force Base, the delegation was received and briefed on the aircraft’s operational employment, gaining valuable insights into its effectiveness in troop transport, logistics support, medical evacuation, and humanitarian missions, as well as its reliability, adaptability, and cost-effective maintenance profile.

The delegation subsequently held strategic discussions at the headquarters of Airbus Defence and Space in Madrid, focusing on the aircraft’s global acceptance, versatility, and proven performance across diverse operational environments. Airbus also highlighted its comprehensive support architecture, including training, logistics frameworks, and long-term sustainment packages tailored to customer requirements.

As part of exposure to emerging technologies, the delegation received a detailed briefing on the SIRTAP Next Generation Tactical Unmanned Aerial System, which demonstrated advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as its potential integration with manned air operations.

The visit culminated at the Airbus production and assembly facility in Seville, where the CAS and his team undertook a guided tour of the production lines, observing first-hand the advanced manufacturing processes and quality assurance systems underpinning the production of both the C-295 and A400M aircraft.

Speaking during the engagements, Air Marshal Aneke expressed appreciation to the Spanish Air and Space Force and Airbus for their hospitality and transparency, noting that the visit provided critical operational and technical insights to support the Nigerian Air Force’s fleet modernisation drive.

NAF Advances Tactical Airlift Capability

“These engagements are vital to strengthening our tactical airlift capability and enhancing operational effectiveness in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges,” he stated. In response, Airbus representatives commended the NAF’s strategic vision and reaffirmed their readiness to support the Service through comprehensive partnership frameworks encompassing training, technology transfer, and sustainment solutions.

The visit underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to adopting modern, efficient, and mission-ready platforms in alignment with the Federal Government’s drive, under the leadership of President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to strengthen national security through continuous enhancement of military capabilities.

Nigeria Not Safe Country, Catholic Bishops Tell Pope Leo XIV

Nigeria not safe country, Catholic bishops tell Pope Leo XIV. The bishops told EWTN News they took the opportunity during their meeting with the pope to inform him of the problems facing the church in Nigeria.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria
Nigerian Catholic bishops, during their recent “ad limina” meeting with Pope Leo XIV in Rome, raised the alarm over the violence and insurgency they face as apostles serving in various parts of Nigeria.

The meeting of Nigerian bishops with the pontiff—held between March 1 and 16—takes place by canon law once every five years.

The bishops told EWTN News they took the opportunity during their meeting with the pope to inform him of the problems facing the church in Nigeria.

Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso of Kaduna, who was recently elected head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, said, “Before we came to Rome, we bishops sent reports on our dioceses to the Vatican, and the summary was given to the Holy Father.”

He added, “But beyond what was written, we discussed with him the violence, the insurgencies, and the difficulties we face as apostles on the ground.”

Archbishop Adewale Martins of Lagos said, “The issue of Christian violence came up very strongly with the pope, and he told us that he will use whatever possibilities he has to highlight our situation and see what he can do for us.”

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, one of Nigeria’s four cardinals and Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, who also met with the pope, told the news agency Aleteia: “No one is safe in Nigeria today, whether Christian or Muslim.”

He added, “We’ve come to speak on behalf of all Nigerians who are suffering and wish to live in peace, whether they are Christians or Muslims.”

Pope Leo XIV Warns Of AI Risks To Young People

This comes amid a campaign on the “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, which the Nigerian government has repeatedly denied.

Last year, amid the campaign on “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, American President Donald Trump declared Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern.

On December 25, Mr Trump ordered the U.S. military to bomb terrorists in their enclave in Sokoto, while warning that more similar military actions will happen should the Nigerian government not stop reckless k1llings perpetrated by terrorists in Africa’s most populous country.