The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has graduated 16 officers and airmen/airwomen who successfully completed a six-month in-house training programme on the Citation Sovereign aircraft, further strengthening the service’s technical capacity and maintenance capability.
The training, conducted for engineering personnel of the 307 Executive Airlift Group (EAG), is part of deliberate efforts to build human capacity and enhance technical self-reliance within the NAF, in line with the command philosophy of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Commander, 307 EAG, Air Commodore OA Oluwatayo, commended the CAS for providing the opportunity and support for the programme, describing the training as a significant milestone in strengthening the Group’s engineering capability and internal maintenance capacity.
Oluwatayo stressed that the competence and professionalism of engineering personnel remain critical to aircraft availability, flight safety and operational effectiveness.
He said the knowledge and practical skills acquired by the graduates would contribute to improved maintenance standards, fleet serviceability and operational readiness.
The Guest of Honour, Chief of Aircraft Engineering, Air Vice Marshal OS Ogunsina, represented by the Director of Aircraft Engineering, AVM Dakwat, also commended the instructors and participants for successfully completing the rigorous programme.
He urged the graduates to build on the knowledge acquired by embracing greater professional responsibility and maintaining the highest standards of aircraft maintenance and safety.
The programme underscored the NAF’s continued drive to develop a highly skilled and professionally competent workforce capable of sustaining its aircraft platforms, reducing reliance on external technical support and ensuring safe, reliable and effective air operations.
The latest initiative further highlighted the service’s broader emphasis on structured training, professional development and mission-focused capability development as key pillars of operational readiness.
