NAF Officer Wins International Research Excellence Award in Pakistan

Sunday July 19, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng

A senior officer of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Group Captain Usman Umar Akeel, has won the Best Individual Research Paper Award at the National Security and War Course (NSWC) of the National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad, Pakistan.

The prestigious award, which recognises exceptional academic excellence, originality, analytical depth and policy relevance, was presented to Group Captain Akeel for his research paper titled, “Drone Swarms and the Future of Aerial Warfare: Tactical Innovation or Battlefield Risk?”

The feat highlights the growing international recognition of Nigerian Air Force personnel in the field of strategic military research and professional military education.

According to the NAF, the award reflects the service’s commitment to developing officers with strong intellectual capacity and strategic leadership skills capable of addressing emerging security challenges in an increasingly complex global environment.

The Air Force noted that the recognition also demonstrates the quality of its personnel as strategic thinkers and contributors to contemporary military scholarship.

The achievement is in line with the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, to build a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force through sustained investment in training, education and capacity development.

The NAF said its emphasis on professional military education continues to equip officers with the knowledge and analytical skills required to respond effectively to evolving security threats while enhancing Nigeria’s profile in international military and academic circles.

Group Captain Akeel’s recognition at one of the world’s leading military institutions is expected to further strengthen the Nigerian Air Force’s reputation for excellence in strategic research, innovation and professional development.

PRNigeria