US Air University Inducts Chief Of The Air Staff Into International Honor Roll Class Of 2026

The Department of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, United States, has honoured the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, with induction into the International Honor Roll (IHR) Class of 2026, a prestigious recognition reserved for distinguished global air power leaders.

Air Marshal Aneke, who attended the Air War College at Air University in 2016 as a member of Seminar 7, was formally inducted on 10 April 2026 alongside 15 other Air Chiefs and 2 Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF) equivalents from across the world, further projecting Nigeria’s growing stature in international military leadership and strategic air power diplomacy.

The ceremony was specially designed to recognise senior Air Force officers who, having passed through the Air War College, have risen to the pinnacle of their professional careers as Air Chiefs and CMSAF equivalents in their respective countries.

As part of the prestigious programme, the participants were received by Governor Kay Ivey at the Governor’s Mansion before proceeding on a series of heritage and institutional visits to the Alabama Supreme Court in Montgomery, the Air University Library, the Enlisted Heritage Museum, Maxwell Club, the Air War College, as well as the SNCO Academy at Gunter Annex. The engagements highlighted the enduring values of professional military education, strategic leadership, and the deep bonds shared among alumni of one of the world’s foremost centres of air power excellence.

Air Marshal Aneke was accompanied on the occasion by the NAFOWA National President, Mrs Ngozi Aneke, the Defence Attaché, and other Nigerians resident in the United States, underscoring the significance of the honour to both the Nigerian Air Force and the nation at large.

US Air University Inducts Chief Of The Air Staff

The high point of the event was the presentation of the International Alumni certificates by Lieutenant General Trulley, symbolising the institution’s recognition of the CAS’s exemplary career trajectory, strategic leadership, and contributions to advancing air power in Nigeria and beyond.

The induction further reinforces the Nigerian Air Force’s reputation for producing globally respected leaders committed to excellence, innovation, and international defence cooperation.

NNPC: Ministers Chart Course Gor West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP)

The Committee of Ministers for the West African Gas Pipeline Project met in Abuja on Friday, reaffirming its central role in West Africa’s regional energy agenda.

The meeting brought together ministers and high-level representatives from Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana, alongside officials from ECOWAS, the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA) and West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo).

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, who opened the meeting, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the long-term sustainability and expansion of the pipeline, adding that since its inception, the WAGP has transported over 613 million MMBtu of natural gas, with Nigeria accounting for more than 68 per cent of total volumes supplied to Benin, Togo, and Ghana.

NNPC

On his part, NNPC Limited’s Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye, emphasised the company’s active stewardship of Nigeria’s gas export commitments and its broader role in shaping regional energy cooperation across West Africa.

With gas throughput reaching approximately 80 million MMBtu in 2025, a 22 per cent rise on prior years, and discussions advancing on expanding pipeline capacity utilisation by 45 per cent in 2026, NNPC Limited remains at the centre of efforts to grow a credible, commercially viable regional gas market.

Nigeria Open To More Investment In Offshore Oil And Gas Sector

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has boosted investor confidence in Nigeria, expressing optimism that reforms under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda are driving a steady rise in Foreign Direct Investment, particularly in offshore oil and gas exploration.

The Minister shared this optimism today while receiving Mr. Jagir Baxi on a working visit. Mr. Baxi is the newly appointed Chairman, Managing Director, and Lead Country Manager of ExxonMobil Nigeria and its affiliates — Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo stated: “We can increase our production. I sincerely believe we can do more than we are currently doing in oil exploration. We need more investment from ExxonMobil. Investors require the right policies, as well as strategic partnerships and alliances.”

He assured the ExxonMobil management team of the Federal Government’s unwavering support, particularly from the Ministry of Interior.

The Minister commended ExxonMobil and its affiliates for their cutting-edge initiatives in developing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, especially in offshore exploration. He also expressed appreciation to the company for its sustained investment and commitment to the Nigerian economy.

According to verified statistics, ExxonMobil and its affiliates have invested over $3.5 billion in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Earlier, Mr. Jagir Baxi commended the Minister’s reform-driven leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s internal security, immigration, emergency management, and correctional services. He reaffirmed that ExxonMobil will continue to invest in Nigeria, with a focus on deep-water resources.

Nigeria Open To More Investment In Offshore Oil And Gas Sector

Highlighting the company’s over 70-year presence in Nigeria, Mr. Baxi cited the Erha offshore oil and gas platform as a flagship project delivering significant value to the country. He noted that the platform has generated over $1 billion in royalties, $22 billion in taxes, and $300 million in levies for the Nigerian economy.

E-Signed
Mary Ali (Mrs)
Head, Press and Public Relations
16th April 2026