The figures were disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, ahead of the first anniversary of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on 30 October.
According to the statement, the operations involved precision air strikes, armed reconnaissance, surveillance and close air support to weaken hostile groups, restrict their movements and improve the effectiveness of ground troops.
Ejodame said the missions were planned around actionable intelligence, clearly defined objectives and assessments of operational outcomes to ensure that each sortie contributed to national security.
He described the operational performance as part of Aneke’s transformation agenda, which prioritises operational effectiveness, personnel welfare, technological advancement and institutional accountability.
On personnel welfare, the Air Force said it had adopted the principle of “Welfare for Enhanced Warfare”, reflecting the leadership’s position that motivated and adequately supported personnel were essential to sustained operational effectiveness.
Measures introduced under the initiative included improvements in allowances, medical services, accommodation and other infrastructure. The Service also reactivated welfare airlift services for personnel deployed to frontline operational theatres.
The statement further disclosed that 57 senior officers were promoted to the ranks of Air Vice Marshal and Air Commodore. In addition, 1,534 senior non-commissioned officers and 1,936 non-commissioned officers were promoted to higher ranks.
To strengthen professional capacity, more than 550 personnel took part in international training and professional engagements, while over 6,000 received training within Nigeria in technical skills, specialised competencies and leadership.
As part of efforts to modernise its fleet, the NAF received five additional helicopters in September, comprising three AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters and two H125 helicopters.
The Service is also pursuing the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, alongside other aircraft and unmanned aerial systems intended to enhance its combat, airlift, training, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
Ejodame said six L-39ZA aircraft were undergoing reactivation and upgrades in Slovakia and Nigeria, while periodic depot maintenance on a C-130 aircraft was continuing in Portugal.
The measures are aimed at improving aircraft availability, strengthening operational readiness and sustaining the Air Force’s ability to respond to Nigeria’s security challenges.
On infrastructure development, the NAF approved 284 projects, of which 145 had been completed, while work continued on the remaining 139.
The projects cover residential accommodation, academic and medical facilities, administrative and operational buildings, roads, electricity, water supply and recreational facilities.
The Service also reported steps to strengthen aviation safety and accountability through the establishment of an Operational and Safety Audit Committee and improvements to its Safety Management System.
According to the statement, the NAF is developing additional mechanisms to prevent and respond to civilian harm, including standardised training and stronger assessment and investigation capabilities.
It is also working towards establishing an Open-Source Intelligence Centre to improve situational awareness and operational planning through the use of publicly available information and emerging technologies.
The Air Force highlighted efforts to develop local technical capacity through initiatives involving the production of Aircraft Release Device 863 impulse release cartridges, a 250-kilogramme bomb-loading trolley and the development and ground testing of locally produced 57-millimetre rockets.
These initiatives form part of broader efforts to strengthen indigenous capabilities and reduce reliance on external sources for selected operational equipment and components.
The Service also continued community-focused healthcare, educational and other special projects aimed at improving civil-military relations and building public confidence.
Ejodame said the NAF remained committed to converting investments in personnel, aircraft, training, technology and infrastructure into measurable improvements in operational performance.
He added that stronger joint operations, strategic partnerships, improved maintenance, professional development and the responsible use of airpower remained central to the Service’s efforts to improve readiness and tackle Nigeria’s security challenges.
