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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has called on young Nigerians—particularly those from the South-West and South-East—to actively consider careers in the armed forces as a means of fostering national unity and greater inclusivity.
Air Commodore Abdulafeez Opaleye, Commander of the 115 Operations Group in Port Harcourt, made the appeal on Tuesday during the inaugural Open Day event held as part of the 2025 NAF Day celebrations.
Opaleye voiced concern over the noticeably low enlistment rates from southern regions, emphasizing that broader regional representation within the military would promote diversity and reinforce national cohesion.
He stressed that the armed forces stand as a unifying institution for the country, urging citizens across all ethnic and regional lines to see themselves as vital contributors to Nigeria’s security and stability.
“It is concerning that Nigerians from the southern part of the country have not been presenting themselves to join the military, as they should.
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“The military, including the Air Force, belongs to every Nigerian. Therefore, all citizens have a stake in ensuring the success of the nation’s armed forces,” he said.
Opaleye noted that declining enlistment figures were among the reasons the NAF organised its first Open Day, giving members of the public the opportunity to tour its facilities and observe its capabilities.
“Today, we have opened our base to over 1,000 guests to experience what the NAF represents. The NAF is the people’s Air Force.
“We therefore encourage southern youths to take advantage of this opportunities to become part of the Nigerian Air Force,” he urged.
Air Commodore Abdulafeez Opaleye further explained that the Open Day initiative was conceived as a platform to enhance civil-military relations and foster greater public awareness of the Nigerian Air Force’s mandate in safeguarding national security.
According to him, the event aims not only to demystify the operations of the Air Force but also to build trust and mutual respect between the military and the civilian population—a crucial step in reinforcing collaboration and national solidarity.
