The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on 2 June 2026 hosted participants of Course 22 from the Beninese National Higher Military School (BNHMS) at Headquarters NAF, Abuja, in a move aimed at strengthening regional military cooperation, professional exchange and collective security efforts within West Africa. The delegation, comprising senior military officers undergoing staff training in the Republic of Benin, was received on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, by the Chief of Air Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal NN Ananaba.
Speaking during the engagement, Air Vice Marshal Ananaba welcomed the participants to Headquarters NAF and underscored the importance of military diplomacy, knowledge sharing and collaboration among regional armed forces in addressing contemporary security challenges. He noted that the increasingly complex security environment in the West African sub-region demands closer cooperation, intelligence sharing and enhanced interoperability among partner nations. The visit featured a comprehensive presentation by the Training Branch of Headquarters NAF, during which participants were briefed on the organisation, roles, operational responsibilities and ongoing transformation initiatives of the Nigerian Air Force.
The representative of the BNHMS delegation commended the Nigerian Air Force for its professionalism, operational achievements and commitment to capacity development. He noted that the visit provided valuable insights into the NAF’s structure, training philosophy and operational approach. An interactive session followed the presentation, providing participants the opportunity to engage with senior NAF officers on issues relating to air power employment, leadership development, intelligence operations, training and regional security cooperation. The discussions fostered mutual understanding and the exchange of best practices between both institutions.
