News

NAF Acquires 12 New Fighter Aircraft, 50 More Expected

Published

1 year ago

January 4, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force said it has acquired 12 additional fighter aircraft for the operational capabilities of the Force.

The new additions to the NAF fleet include 2 King Air 360i light transport aircraft, 4 T-129 ATAK helicopters, 2 Agusta Westland 109 Trekker, and 4 DA-62 surveillance aircraft.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, stated this on Saturday during a parley with NAF Veteran residents in Kaduna.

He added that moving forward, the NAF is poised to take delivery of 24 M-346 fighter aircraft and 10 additional Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters from Italy.

According to him, Other platforms being expected were two additional T-129 ATAK helicopters from Turkey, 3 CASA 295 transport aircraft from Spain and 12 AH-1Z Vipper helicopters from the United States.

He said the NAF would take additional delivery of 50 brand-new aircraft between December 2025 and 2026.

According to the Air Chief, the acquisition of the new aircraft is part of the NAF’s efforts to boost its operational effectiveness.

In addition to the acquisition of new aircraft, he said the NAF also adopted a predictive maintenance culture, which is aimed at reducing equipment failures and downtime.

Abubakar, who was represented by NAF’s Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sani, at the event, noted that in the last 18 months, the force has made significant strides in various areas.

These, he said, include the “Overhauling of airfield infrastructure, enhancement of operational effectiveness, the establishment of new branches and directorates, adoption of predictive maintenance culture, research and development, boosting strategic partnerships, enhancing welfare, and infrastructural renewal.”

He said, “The Nigerian Air Force is committed to becoming a more effective and agile force capable of addressing the country’s security challenges.

“We have made significant progress in the last 18 months, and we are committed to sustaining this momentum. The acquisition of the new aircraft is a testament to our commitment to becoming a more effective and agile force.

“The NAF has delivered an additional 12 new platforms, each infusing unique capabilities to our ongoing operations. These include 2 King Air 360i light transport aircraft, 4 T-129 ATAK helicopters, 2 Agusta Westland 109 Trekker and 4 DA-62 surveillance aircraft.

“The NAF is poised to take delivery of 24 M-346 fighter aircraft and 10 additional Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters from Italy.

“Other platforms being expected were two additional T-129 ATAK helicopters from Turkey, 3 CASA 295 transport aircraft from Spain and 12 AH-1Z Vipper helicopters from the United States.

“In other words, the Nigerian Air Force will take additional delivery of 50 brand new aircraft between December this year and 2026.

“We have shifted towards predictive maintenance, which enables us to assess the condition of our aircraft and other equipment and anticipate and schedule maintenance ahead of time.”

Abubakar added that the NAF has established new branches and directorates to focus on specific areas, including land administration, airworthiness, transformation and innovation, civil-military relations, and peace support operations.

He also noted that the NAF boosted its strategic partnerships with foreign air forces and exhibitors, which are aimed at enhancing its capabilities and operational effectiveness.

“The establishment of these new branches and directorates is aimed at enhancing our operational effectiveness and ensuring that we are better equipped to address the country’s security challenges.

“We have established partnerships with foreign air forces and exhibitors, which has enabled us to access new technologies and expertise and enhance our operational effectiveness,” Abubakar said

On welfare, Abubakar said the NAF has initiated several projects aimed at improving the living conditions of its personnel, including affordable housing, meal subsidies, and priority admission for NAF personnel’s wards.

“We are committed to ensuring that our personnel are well taken care of and that they have access to the resources and support they need to perform their duties effectively,” the CAS added.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.