The Nigerian Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke has reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to strengthening civil-military relations as a strategic enabler of operational success, stressing that trust, cooperation, and accountability are now central to modern air operations.
Speaking at the maiden edition of Civil-Military Relations Conference 2026 in Abuja, themed “Leveraging Civil-Military Relations for Enhanced Operational Efficiency’, the Chief of Air Staff described the initiative as timely and strategic.
He stressed that his command philosophy emphasises a professional, agile, and people-centric Air Force driven by precision, accountability, and strategic effectiveness.
According to him, operational success in today’s complex security environment is no longer defined solely by kinetic dominance but by the ability to integrate human dimensions into air operations.
He highlighted deliberate measures taken to ensure responsible and transparent actions, including the approval of compensation for victims of the accidental airstrike in Sokoto.
This, he said, “underscores the Air Force’s commitment to justice while maintaining operational momentum”.
The Chief further explained that accountability and compassion remains key pillars of his leadership approach, ensuring that military actions align with the expectations of the Nigerian people.
Beyond kinetic operations, the Air Force has reinforced its non-kinetic footprints through targeted intervention projects in states such as Kwara, Rivers, Delta, Kano, and Akwa Ibom.
These initiatives, ranging from medical outreach to infrastructural support, are designed to build trust and foster national cohesion.
Professionalism and Dedication
Commending the Chief of Civil-Military Relations and his team, the Chief of Air Staff praised their professionalism and dedication in advancing this critical mandate.
“Therefore, in line with my command philosophy, we must prioritise smarter, intelligence-driven operations. This requires precision targeting, efficient resource utilisation management, and enhanced interagency collaborations. Leveraging technology and intelligence fusion will enable us to achieve maximum operational impact with minimal collateral risk”, he said.
“Equally important is the synchronisation of kinetic and non-kinetic efforts. Strategic communications, psychological operations, and community engagement must be deliberately integrated into our operational planning. When citizens trust us, they become force multipliers, providing critical intelligence and strengthening our overall effectiveness’, he added.
He therefore charged the conference to generate practical, actionable recommendations that will further operationalise the team.
Repositioning the Directorate
Earlier, the Director Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet emphasized that the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to effectively reposition its non-candidate corporations brought forth the need to upgrade the Directorate of Civil-Military Relations.
According to him, the Civil-Military Relations Branch of the Nigerian Air Force, established on 18 July 2024, represents a strategic evolution in fostering stronger ties between the military and civilian communities.
With its three directorates, the Directorate of Coordination and Cooperation, the Directorate of Enabling Operations, and the Directorate of Human Rights and Gender Affairs, they were designed to institutionalize practices that uphold human rights, gender sensitivity, and international standards in civil-military relations.
By subsuming the office of the Nigerian Air Force under this branch, the institution signaled its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the cultivation of trust both domestically and internationally. Its activities are tailored to ensure that the Air Force is perceived positively, emphasizing the “hearts and minds” approach to military engagement.
Upon assuming office in October 2025 as Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke and his team introduced a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen the branch’s teaching and operational capacity.
“This roadmap prioritized policy formulation, training, and capacity development, while also emphasizing stakeholder engagement and initiatives for severe habilitation and response”, he said.
He noted that the key features included mechanisms for the prompt resolution of human rights issues, facilitation of special intervention projects by the Chief of Air Staff, and surveys addressing sexual exploitation and abuse within the Nigerian Air Force.
Collectively, these initiatives underscored the branch’s mission to embed respect for human rights into military culture, enhance cooperation with civilian stakeholders, and align the Nigerian Air Force’s practices with global best standards.
Dignitaries at the event included the Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jubrin Baba Ndace (Special Guest); Professor Okay Okechukwu and Air Vice Marshal Gwani (resource persons); former Army spokesperson Brigadier General Usman Sani; and serving airmen and women, among others.