The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening operational capacity through strategic international partnerships, as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Air Marshal Zaeem Afzal, paid a high-level courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at Headquarters NAF, Abuja, on 22 April 2026.
The engagement underscores the NAF’s deliberate efforts to leverage strategic alliances to enhance mission effectiveness, interoperability, and sustained air power delivery in support of ongoing operations and national security objectives. Describing the visit as timely and impactful, the CAS stated, “Our enduring partnership with the Pakistan Air Force continues to deliver tangible gains in training, capacity development, and operational effectiveness, directly reinforcing our ability to project decisive air power.”
Air Marshal Aneke further emphasised the importance of expanding existing cooperation frameworks while exploring new frontiers that would promote efficiency and self-reliance. He noted that the evolving security landscape demands deeper collaboration among allied air forces, adding, “We must sustain and broaden our areas of cooperation to enhance interoperability and ensure our forces remain agile, responsive, and mission-ready.”
The CAS also expressed appreciation for the consistent support of the PAF, acknowledging its pivotal role in advancing the professional competence of NAF personnel and strengthening critical operational capabilities.
In his remarks, Air Marshal Zaeem Afzal commended the NAF for its professionalism and warm reception, describing the discussions as productive and forward-looking. He affirmed the PAF’s commitment to deepening the existing partnership, noting, “This visit provides a valuable opportunity to build on our shared history and further strengthen cooperation in ways that deliver practical and mutually beneficial outcomes.”
The visit, which was attended by senior NAF officers and the Defence Adviser of Pakistan to Nigeria, Colonel Kamran Mushtaq, reinforces the shared resolve of both air forces to advance strategic collaboration in support of regional stability and global security
