The Nigerian Air Force, on Monday adopted the advancement in artificial intelligence and space technology for its operations, saying it is a call to move beyond legacy systems and embrace the full spectrum of digital-age warfare.
The force, through the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, also revealed that the service has trained over 70 NAF personnel in critical space-related disciplines, both at home and abroad.
Abubakar disclosed these in Abuja when he spoke at the International Colloquium, organised by the NAF in collaboration with Bradford AI Space Centre to commemorate the 61st Anniversary Celebration of the force.
“Since the launch of Nigeria’s 25-year Space Roadmap in 2005, space science and technology has gained significant mileage, with tangible results to show, albeit with a lot of room for improvement.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s space ambitions have received renewed momentum through bold and strategic directives.
“For instance, the presidential approval of a multi-billion naira take-off fund for the National Space Research and Development Agency, along with the green light for the launch of four additional satellites, both signal a clear and unwavering commitment to space innovation.
“These initiatives reaffirm space technology as a cornerstone of our national agenda—driving economic diversification, strengthening intelligence capabilities, and reinforcing sovereign resilience in an increasingly complex global landscape.
“It is against this backdrop that this conference becomes more than just a bilateral engagement, it is a convergence point for national synergy, in line with Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda for a prosperous Nigeria,” the CAS said.
He said that the NAF is building a future where the Nigerian Air Force leads in leveraging artificial intelligence and space technology to uphold its mandate with unmatched agility and resilience, in service to Nigeria and its people.
Speaking on the theme of the Colloquium: “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Effective Utilization of Space Science Technology for Enhanced NAF Operations”, the Lead Paper Presenter, Retired Air Vice Marshal Charles Otegbade, said the decision of the organisers to provide a forum to examine and review the impact of artificial intelligence and space science technology advancement on the achievements of the NAF mandate is commendable.
Earlier, in his address of welcome, the Chief of Communications Information Systems, NAF Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal S K Usman, said the convergence of artificial intelligence and space technology is redefining the boundaries of possibilities in modern operations.
The International Colloquium, he said, is a deliberate effort to explore how AI-driven innovations can be employed to enhance space-based operational capabilities of the Nigerian Air Force.
“We aim to critically examine how we can optimize the integration of AI into Nigerian Air Force operations to enhance situational awareness, optimize resource management, as well as bolster our cyberspace warfare capabilities and research endeavours,” he said.
