Kaduna: The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully graduated 23 cabin crew personnel, underscoring the vital role of competence in ensuring flight safety. This announcement was made during the graduation ceremony of the Cabin Crew Initial Course 2, 2026, held at the Air Traffic Services Training Centre (ATSTC) in Kaduna. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, highlighted the significance of competence in flight safety, as conveyed by his representative, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of Air Training Command, AVM Esen Efanga.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Aneke reiterated NAF’s commitment to continuous training and human capacity development as essential elements for operational transformation, professionalism, and readiness. He emphasized the goal of transforming the ATSTC into a center of excellence for training in air traffic services and other aviation-related fields. The center recently renewed its accreditation as an Approved Training Organisation with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to offer professional civil aviation courses.
Aneke detailed that the center provides training in Air Traffic Control, Flight Dispatch, and Cabin Crew operations, among other programs. Currently, the center is conducting Air Traffic Control and Surveillance Radar Courses 2 and 3 for 30 Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Air Traffic Control Officer cadets and 10 NAF officer trainees. He stressed the importance of well-trained cabin crew personnel in ensuring cabin safety, emergency response, and in-flight service operations, which are crucial for the safety and effectiveness of NAF flight operations.
He stated, “Training remains the single most critical driver of operational transformation over time. It enables the Nigerian Air Force to meet its operational imperatives in line with my command philosophy.” The CAS commended the Commandant, instructors, and staff of the ATSTC for maintaining high training standards and encouraged the center to continually update its programs to reflect contemporary aviation practices.
The Commandant of ATSTC, AVM Nosiru Folaji, also addressed the newly graduated cabin crew personnel, urging them to maintain professionalism, discipline, and safety in their duties. Folaji highlighted the significance of the graduation, noting that the graduates had completed a rigorous training program designed to equip them with essential knowledge and skills. He emphasized that cabin crew personnel are not only service providers but also primary custodians of cabin safety, emergency procedures, and in-flight security operations.
The commandant revealed that the center had renewed its Approved Training Organisation certification with the NCAA, allowing it to deliver civil-certified aviation courses, including the Cabin Crew Initial Course. The graduates underwent mandatory NCAA examinations at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, and practical assessments to obtain professional cabin crew licenses in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.
Folaji encouraged the graduates to uphold integrity, discipline, selfless service, teamwork, and attention to detail, reminding them that graduation marks the beginning of a lifelong professional journey requiring continuous learning and commitment to safety and operational effectiveness.