The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has graduated 1,296 recruits of the Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) 45/2025 following a Passing Out Parade, formally inducting them into the ranks of trained airmen and airwomen of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday by Ehimen Ejodame, NAF spokesperson.

Reviewing the parade, Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), described the ceremony as a defining milestone for both the graduates and the Service, stressing that the operational effectiveness of the NAF is anchored on the quality, discipline, and professionalism of its personnel.

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Aneke, an Air Marshal, noted that the successful completion of the six-month training programme aligns with his Command Philosophy of building and sustaining a highly motivated, professional, and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces to achieve national security objectives.

He said the graduation underscores the NAF’s deliberate efforts to strengthen its manpower base in fulfilment of its constitutional mandate, particularly in support of ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations across the country.

The CAS described the Military Training Centre as the cradle of military excellence in the NAF, highlighting its critical role in standardised training and mission-focused capability development.

He commended the Commandant, instructors, and staff of the Centre, as well as the Air Officer Commanding Ground Training Command, Air Vice Marshal Shinkafi, for maintaining high professional standards.

Addressing the newly graduated airmen and airwomen, Aneke said the physically and mentally demanding training they underwent was deliberately designed to prepare them for the realities of military service in an increasingly complex security environment marked by terrorism, banditry, and other asymmetric threats.

He urged them to uphold discipline, teamwork, professionalism, and respect for constituted authority, while assuring them of the NAF’s continued commitment to training and welfare.

The CAS expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his sustained support to the Nigerian Air Force, and also thanked the Kaduna State Government and other stakeholders for their contributions.

Highlights of the ceremony included a precision parade, presentation of awards to outstanding recruits, and the emergence of C-130 Squadron as the Champion Squadron.