Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has emphasized the need for Africa to adapt to the changing nature of warfare, embrace technological advancements, and invest in the training and development of its armed forces, especially the air forces.
Sanwo-Olu, who spoke through his Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, on Thursday at the 4th African Air Forces Forum, themed: “Strengthening Collaborations in Advanced Aerospace Technologies for Enhanced National and Regional Security,” held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, stated that the issues confronting the Africa region are complex, ranging from terrorism and transnational crime thus, the need to safeguard her extensive airspace.
The Governor added that these challenges call for innovative solutions, collaborative strategies, and a unified approach. His words, “We must adapt to the changing nature of warfare, embrace technological advancements, and invest in the training and development of our air forces. The issues we confront as a region are complex, ranging from terrorism and transnational crime to safeguarding our extensive airspace.”
Furthermore, Sanwo-Olu noted that it is essential for nations to collaborate and share resources, expertise, and intelligence to create a strong air power that can deter threats and safeguard the people, noting that no single country can tackle the challenges of terrorism and other insurgencies on its own.
Speaking on the forum, Sanwo-Olu said it is not just a meeting of military leaders; but rather, it is a chance to forge lasting partnerships and nurture a spirit of cooperation, and it is an opportunity to strengthen the ties of friendship and solidarity that connect military leaders as experts in regional and global security. “Let us join forces to create a safer, more secure, and prosperous Africa and world for future generations,” noted the Governor.
While acknowledging how vital it is to have a well-equipped, well-trained, and highly motivated Air Force, Sanwo-Olu stressed the importance of air power in ensuring national and regional security. “I have to say that the unique challenges of air operations have added extra pressure on our air forces across the continent. They are not just tasked with their own missions but also with supporting other branches of the military and helping the civilian population to enhance overall security,” he said.
Besides, he cited that Nigeria, like many other African nations, has been leading the charge against terrorism and insurgency, as the nation has seen how crucial air power is in backing ground operations, gathering intelligence, and delivering humanitarian aid, stressing that the government understands.
In his opening remarks, the Nigerian Minister of Defense, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, stated that the need for Africa to harness technology to drive security cannot be overstated, adding that aerospace technologies are no longer unseeded; they are central to any modern defense architecture.
Abubakar added that the technology ranges from a sophisticated software system to a manned aerial system, from secure, integrated communication networks to advanced cyber defense mechanisms can help Africa to combat insurgencies and terrorism.
“While air power is indeed an essential component of our national power, we must equally embrace a collaborative approach. True and lasting security is anchored in the principle of good governance, economic development, and social justice. It is only by addressing the root causes of conflicts that we can ensure sustainable peace,” he said, noting that it is about trust, mutual respect, and the shared ambition of a still united and prosperous Africa.
Highlighting that the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extensively invested in the modernization of the Nigerian air force, prioritizing capabilities in interceptors, soft-lanes and reconnaissance, air mobility, and full-size strike, stating that these are not abstract goals, but tangible strategic priorities designed to enhance the national security have contributed to productive regional efforts.
The Minister, therefore, urged participants at the forum to seize the opportunity to deliberate and engage in open and proactive conversations. He said, “Let us forge enduring partnerships and identify practical steps that can transform our shared ideas into actionable realities on the ground and in the skies above.”
In his welcome address, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, noted that the event is a dynamic platform for fostering unity, deepening cooperation, and driving forward a collective vision of peace, security, and progress across the skies of the African continent.
Air Marshal Hassan stressed that in today’s rapidly momentous environment, the capacity to project air power, either for defense, surveillance, logistics, or combat, has become crucial in securing national security and promoting regional stability. “It is important to understand that the goal of Africa’s effective development of air power denies the imperative to process partnership, uphold and share values and strategic interests.”
