The Nigerian Air Force has graduated 23 cabin crew personnel, with air chief Sunday Aneke describing competence as critical to flight safety.

Mr Aneke stated this at the graduation ceremony of the Cabin Crew Initial Course 2, 2026, organised by the Air Traffic Services Training Centre, Kaduna, on Friday.

Mr Aneke reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to sustained training and human capacity development as key drivers of operational transformation, professionalism and readiness.

Mr Aneke said the NAF was committed to developing the ATSTC into a hub of excellence for human capacity development in air traffic services and other aviation-related disciplines.

He said the centre had recently renewed its accreditation as an Approved Training Organisation with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to deliver professional civil aviation courses.

According to him, the centre currently conducts training in air traffic control, flight dispatch and cabin crew operations, among other approved programmes.

He added that the centre was conducting Air Traffic Control and Surveillance Radar Courses 2 and 3 for 30 Nigerian Airspace Management Agency Air Traffic Control Officer cadets and 10 NAF officer trainees.

Mr Aneke described well-trained cabin crew personnel as critical to cabin safety, emergency response and in-flight service operations, adding that their competence would enhance the safety and effectiveness of NAF flight operations.

“Training remains the single most critical driver of operational transformation over time. It enables the Nigerian Air Force to meet its operational imperatives in line with my command philosophy,” he said.

The CAS commended the commandant, instructors and staff of the ATSTC for maintaining high training standards and urged the centre to review its programmes in line with contemporary aviation practices continually.

He congratulated the graduates and urged them to build on the knowledge acquired through continuous learning, professional development and active participation in operational assignments.

Mr Aneke charged them to apply their skills toward enhancing NAF air operations, particularly in addressing the country’s current internal security challenges, while upholding professionalism, integrity and sound military conduct.

Earlier, the commandant of ATSTC, Nosiru Folaji, urged the newly graduated cabin crew personnel to uphold professionalism, discipline and safety in the discharge of their duties.

Mr Folaji described the graduation as a significant milestone, noting that the graduates had completed a training programme designed to equip them with the required knowledge and skills.

He said cabin crew personnel were not merely service providers but primary custodians of cabin safety, emergency procedures and in-flight security operations, stressing that their diligence directly affected the mission capability and operational integrity of NAF transport and executive fleets.

The commandant said the centre renewed its Approved Training Organisation certification with the NCAA, enabling it to deliver civil-certified aviation courses, including the Cabin Crew Initial Course.

He said the graduates sat for mandatory NCAA examinations at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, on September 2, 2026, and underwent practical assessments toward obtaining professional cabin crew licences in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards.

Mr Folaji urged the graduates to uphold integrity, discipline, selfless service, teamwork and attention to detail, reminding them that graduation marked the beginning of a lifelong professional journey requiring continuous learning and commitment to safety and operational effectiveness.

(NAN)