As part of its 61st anniversary, the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has been marking the nationwide Open Day themed “Come See Your Air Force”, serving as reminder of its dedication to building bridges with the public it serves through openness, education and inspiration. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that at the Logistics Command in Lagos, the open day not just showcased decades of military excellence, but also opened up a whole new world of possibilities for the visiting school children and better understanding of the NAF by the adults in attendance
It was exactly 11.10am on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, when the trio of Adaife, Chimsokari, and Somkenenna Eze stepped into the 631 Aircraft Maintenance Depot of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Ikeja, Lagos.
“Wow! Wow! Wow! This is amazing!” they echoed, eyes wide as they took in the staggering sight before them—rows upon rows of aircraft standing proudly in and outside the hangar.
It was a moment of magic but tinged with sheer inspiration for the future. For Adaife in particular, a seven-year-old pupil, this wasn’t just an excursion—it was a gateway into a new world of possibilities. By mid-morning, she had touched the wings of a jet fighter, walked through the aircraft hangar, and spoken to several NAF personnel.
As she would later tell the NTA reporter during her brief interview, “It was amazing! I thank the Nigerian Air Force for keeping Nigeria safe.”
She wasn’t alone in this epiphany. Hundreds of students, teachers, and curious members of the public made their way through the depot, experiencing the Air Force not as a distant and mysterious institution, but as an open and forward-looking arm of national defence protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
NAF Open Day as Bridge Builder
When the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, muted the idea of an Open Day to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the NAF, he said it was a reminder of NAF’s dedication to building bridges with the public it serves through openness, education and inspiration, while highlighting the importance of public trust, national unity, transparency and engagement.
Flagged off as part of NAF’s 61st anniversary celebration, it began on May 1 and would end on May 15th across all NAF bases in the country as key component of the broader anniversary celebrations from 13 to May 20, 2025.
As an institution they would not have ordinarily have access to, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, had said the special initiative, themed “Come See Your Air Force,” was targeted at fostering stronger civil-military relations and offer Nigerians a unique opportunity to witness the inner workings of their Air Force firsthand.
So far, the participating NAF units in Makurdi, Bauchi, Yenagoa, Kaduna, Enugu, Ikeja, Katsina, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt, Oshogbo, Minna, the Federal Capital Territory, Victoria Island, Yola, Benin, Kainji, Kano, and Jos have opened their gates to civilians from all walks of life for guided tours of facilities; close-up inspections of aircraft and platforms; historical exhibitions, including photo galleries and mini-museums; interactive sessions with NAF personnel and documentary screenings and video displays, including souvenir distribution to commemorate the experience.
Demystifying Military Operations in Lagos
At the Logistics Command in Lagos, the air was charged as those in attendance toured the facility at the 631 Aircraft Maintenance Depot in Ikeja, soaking in pep talks on career, engines, first aids, radar systems, and aerodynamics.
According to the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Adeniran Kolade Ademuwagun, the importance of demystifying military operations and fostering public trust and understanding of the Air Force’s role in national defence was one of the reasons for the Open Day.
“Most people know the job of the Nigerian Air Force is to secure the territorial integrity of our airspace, but they don’t really know how we do it. Every year, you see government budgetary allocations to the military, but this Open Day is an opportunity to show the public the real story—how these resources are utilised, the platforms we operate, and the men and women who make it all possible,” he said.
He further stated that it was to enlighten the public on the Air Force’s operations, promote patriotism, and inspire the next generation to consider careers in the military. “We want to show young people that the Nigerian Air Force is not a mystery. The pilots and engineers they see today were once like them. We are exposing them to the platforms, to the technology, and to the discipline that has sustained our fleet for over six decades.
“Technology is transforming the nature of warfare. With the rise of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, we are retraining and reorienting our personnel to meet new threats. The Nigerian Air Force has embraced cutting-edge platforms and continues to modernise its operations. We are not just looking at today—we are preparing for the future,” he said.
As Adaife and siblings clutched their commemorative souvenirs from the NAF and posed for a photo inside a Diamond aircraft, their joy was full. They might have missed classes just to be a part of the tour, but their day was just as insightful and inspiring.
For the Nigerian Air Force, that was precisely the point. To educate. To inspire. To open a whole new world. And in doing so, to build the future, one dream at a time.
As AVM Ademuwagun noted, “The Nigerian Air Force is committed to protecting this nation and supporting internal security operations. But we need serious, patriotic citizens to take over tomorrow. Events like this are meant to bridge the gap, build trust, and ensure that the safety of our country is not compromised now or in the future.”
Safe to say that the NAF Open Day didn’t just mark 61 years of military excellence—it offered a glimpse into the future, reflected in the wide eyes of schoolchildren and the quiet determination of those who now dare to dream.
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