Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar has assumed the position as the new Chief of Air Staff, following a recent announcement of the retirement and replacement of service chiefs by President Bola Tinubu.
Abubakar becomes the 22nd Chief of Air Staff, taking up the mantle in a formal ceremony on Thursday.
The outgone Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oludayo Amao, celebrated the achievements and success of his term despite notable challenges.
In his departing message, Amao encouraged his successor to strive for greater accomplishments. He urged Abubakar to lead the service to new heights during his tenure.
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He specifically said he would miss the force, noting that there is nothing that has the beginning that doesn’t have an end.
See pictures from the event:
Profile of New Chief of Air Staff
Air Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar was born on September 11, 1970. He hails from Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State. He enlisted into the NAF as a member of NDA Regular Course 39 and was commissioned a Pilot Officer on September 19, 1992.
COURSES ATTENDED AND QUALIFICATIONS
a. Bachelor of Science Degree from the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna.
b. Abinitio and Basic Flying Training Courses at the 301 Flying Training School Kaduna.
c. Basic and Advance Airborne Courses at Nigerian Army Infantry Center and School Jaji.
d. Company Amphibious Operations Course at Nigerian Army Infantry Center and School in Calabar.
e. Junior and Senior Command and Staff Courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji and
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f. National Defence Course at the Nasser Higher Military Academy, Cairo – Egypt.
g. Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from ABU Zaria.
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS
a. Abubakar was the former Admin Officer 16 Engineering Wing, 1 Engineering Group NAF Makurdi.
b. Officer Commanding Admin Services Flight/ Group Public Relations Officer, 97 Special Operations Group NAF Port Harcourt.
e. Officer Commanding Yellow Squadron – Air Force Military School Jos.
f. Admin Officer Primary Flying Training Wing – 301 FTS NAF Kaduna.
e. SO1 Admin 301 FTS NAF Kaduna.
f. Officer Commanding ‘B’ Squadron (Do 228) – 81 Air Maritime Group NAF Benin.
e. Team Leader MILOB Team Site 615 Mahagi (Ituri Brigade) MONUC.
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f. Aviation Planning Officer, MONUC Air Operations Kinshasa, DRC.
g. Commanding Officer Base Services Wing 81 Air Maritime Group Nigerian Air Force Benin.
h. Operations Officer Operational Conversion Unit 88 Military Airlift group Nigerian Air Force Lagos.
i. Operations Officer 88 Military Airlift Group Ikeja Lagos. Commanding Officer 21 Wing 88 Military Airlift Group Lagos.
j. Group Safety Officer 88 Military Airlift Group Ikeja Lagos.
k. Fleet operation officer – 011Presidential Air Fleet.
l. Commander 011 Presidential Air Fleet.
m. Chief of Staff, Mobility Command.
o. Director of Policy, HQ NAF.
p. Director of Operations, HQ NAF.
q. Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command.
r. the Chief of Standards and Operations, HQ NAF.
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AWARDS/DECORATIONS
1. Distinguished Service Star.
2. Passed Staff Course (psc)
3. Fellow Defence College
4. Masters in International Affairs.
5. Member National Institute of Management.
6. Member Chartered Institute of Public Management.
7. Member Nigerian Institute of Safety Professionals.