Abuja: The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has urged senior officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to cultivate strategic leadership capabilities to effectively address the intricate security challenges facing the nation. Aneke made this call during the opening of a Strategic Leadership and Management Workshop/Induction ceremony held in Abuja, in collaboration with the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (ISMN).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the workshop is part of an initiative to enhance the strategic leadership skills of NAF officers, addressing the current security environment characterized by complexity, uncertainty, technological advancement, and swiftly evolving threats. Air Marshal Aneke emphasized that military leaders must look beyond immediate operational demands to anticipate challenges, assess risks, optimize resources, and make decisions with long-term implications for the institution.
He stated that the workshop aligns with his command philosophy, focusing on standardized training and mission-focused capability development. The program aims to expose participants to modern principles of strategic leadership, organizational effectiveness, policy formulation, governance, decision-making, and resource management. Aneke highlighted the importance of equipping senior officers not only to manage current responsibilities but also to shape the future of the service.
The workshop also featured the expedited induction of eligible participants as ‘Full Members’ of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria, Chartered. Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Chairman of ISMN, described the induction as a commitment to professionalism, continuous learning, ethical leadership, and excellence in management practice. The two-day training covers strategic management frameworks, emotional intelligence, strategic leadership, and converting strategy into actionable results.
Igbuzor noted that strategy without execution remains mere aspiration, and leadership lacking emotional intelligence can undermine teamwork. He stressed that authority without strategic vision cannot achieve sustainable institutional transformation. He applauded the NAF leadership for investing in the professional development of officers, stating that such investment in strategic leadership capacity is an investment in Nigeria’s national security.