The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) disclosed on Sunday, October 25, 2026, that it expended nearly ₦18 billion on Jet A-1 aviation fuel between November 2025 and September 2026 to power continuous air operations in support of national security across the country.
In a formal briefing released at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja on Sunday morning, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, revealed that the Service consumed close to 10 million litres of aviation fuel within the 10-month period.
This significant expenditure directly enabled the air fleet to log over 6,100 flying hours while executing more than 2,900 tactical sorties across various operational theaters nationwide.
Addressing journalists, Air Commodore Ejodame highlighted that the sustained aerial deployment reflects the strategic vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, aimed at enhancing operational capability and maintaining air dominance against non-state armed groups.
The continuous flights provided critical intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, close air support, and air interdiction missions across key conflict zones in the North-East, North-West, and Niger Delta regions.
Ejodame noted that despite rising logistical costs and complex maintenance schedules, the military high command remains focused on force protection and joint operational efficiency with surface forces.
To bolster its operational reach, the Air Force recently inducted five new combat helicopters into active service, with plans underway to integrate an additional 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters to secure the nation’s airspace and territorial integrity.
