NAF Launches First-Ever Safety Management Systems Training for Senior Officers
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has launched its inaugural Safety Management Systems (SMS) training for senior officers, a move aimed at enhancing safety oversight and risk management across the Service. The two-day workshop, held from December 9 to 10, 2025, was organised in collaboration with Asfaro Edu Safety Consult and follows directives from the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.
The training was developed in line with recommendations from the July 2025 Safety Review Board meeting, which highlighted the need to instill SMS awareness at the highest levels of NAF leadership.
Speaking at the opening session, Air Marshal Aneke emphasised the value of the initiative for operational safety and strategic decision-making. “Safety is not merely a procedure; it is leadership in action. This training demonstrates our commitment to anticipating risks, managing them proactively, and protecting our personnel, assets, and mission outcomes,” he said.
Air Vice Marshal Ebimobo Ebiowe, Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation, officially opened the workshop, describing it as a cornerstone of the CAS’s push for a proactive, data-driven safety culture across NAF formations.
According to AVM Ebiowe, the Service is transitioning from a traditional preventive safety model to a predictive framework that incorporates risk management into planning and operations. He highlighted the four pillars of SMS—Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion—as key elements of this transformation.
“We are building a safety framework that anticipates, learns, and acts ahead. Senior commanders will lead the implementation of SMS at all levels to ensure consistent application, accurate reporting, and enhanced operational resilience,” AVM Ebiowe said.
He urged participants to integrate SMS principles into their command decisions and daily activities, noting that the training is expected to improve safety reporting, compliance across aviation, ground, and administrative operations, and strengthen NAF’s overall safety posture.
AVM Ebiowe also encouraged attendees to actively engage, share ideas, and foster a culture of vigilance, transparency, and continuous improvement throughout the Service.
By PRNigeria
