By Tsekaa Gboko
Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (rtd) is a former Chief of the Air Staff, former Nigerian Ambassador to, and former APC Governorship candidate in Bauchi State (2023 elections). He is indeed worth celebrating, especially on this special day of his birthday anniversary, for many obvious reasons.
He was the 20th Chief of Air Staff (CAS), and a man with a special place in the hearts of many Nigerians.
It could be recalled that weeks before becoming head of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), insurgency in the North East seriously stressed the Nigerian military. The obvious gains the military recorded against insurgency and militancy during his tenure as CAS cannot be fully appreciated without attention to his leadership role.
Full of grit and purpose, Air Mshl SB Abubakar rtd, resumed at his duty-post, eager to work and ready to help push back the insurgents who had encroached upon and were on the verge of claiming parts of the Nigerian territory.
He gathered the once-deflated Nigerian Air Force and repositioned it into a highly motivated, disciplined and formidable force that gained the trust of every well- meaning Nigerian at the time. He believes that it is a leader’s responsibility to motivate and ensure troops understand why they are trained in a particular way, lending credibility to the fact that, during his leadership, every single air force personnel was more concerned about the security and peace of the country first, before themselves.
It was during his time that the NAF became closer to the general public in Nigeria, in a more spectacular way.
It is worth recalling how many Nigerians expressed their pride on television and other media platforms. Nigerians watched with pride as the NAF carried out activities ranging from its contributions to the fight against insurgency and other security concerns to its humanitarian services to internally displaced persons.
Under his leadership, the Nigerian Air Force forged a bond driven by the desire to serve the nation above all else.
X-raying Abubakar’s tenure at the helm of NAF leadership comes with a lot of nostalgic feelings. NAF operations, then, at either Operation Lafia Dole in the North East, Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta, Operation Sharan Daji in the North West, Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State or Operation Awatse in Lagos, Nigerians saw in him a portrait of amazing initiatives, intellect and determination, anchored by an uncommon passion.
The magic was that Abubakar formed relationships with his troops and established standards to guide their performance, on and off the line of duty.
Above all, Nigerians should felicitate with the former CAS on this special day of his 66th birthday anniversary.
We are felicitating an elder statesman, a top military veteran, former ambassador, and politician who gave his all for the love of his country.
He bequeathed a legacy in the NAF to his successors, a functional and professional air force that stands in the defence of the nation, protection of the citizenry and their properties, offering aid to civil authority, which has become a permanent feature of the NAF’s national image.
To SB, all his peers popularly called him; this was a commitment with ‘no finishing line’.
It is a celebration of a man with an uncommon passion for the peace, unity, security and development of the nation.
There is a temptation to list the NAF’s achievements under his leadership. However, the purpose of this write-up is not to do that; rather, it is intended to offer a big congratulations to an amazing and rare breed this nation produced. If Nigeria does become a world military power, as many international defence experts believe is inevitable, Abubakar, perhaps more than anyone else, would have helped make that possible.
But we can say this much with certainty: he is one of the world’s most seasoned administrators of his time, an officer who altered the course of military history for the better, and a Nigerian patriot worthy of our deepest gratitude and respect.
But fortune favours the ready. Abubakar had prepared himself to command the skies at a time in his life, since he was young.
It is also important to remember, in appreciation to the retired air marshal, who in a bid to bolster the confidence of the people in the NAF while countering the Boko Haram recruitment strategy as to enhance local intelligence gathering, Abubakar introduced “Winning Hearts and Minds” strategy through the provision of humanitarian assistance to the IDPs in the North East and other locations across the country. The initiative to care for IDPs and other vulnerable Nigerians by providing a spectrum of medical assistance and humanitarian projects stands tall in the history of the Nigerian military.
Looking at his time in the force, it is clear that he came as the crow flies, far from his humble beginnings, when things did not look so cast in certainty.
Air Mshl SB Abubakar (rtd) has a Diploma in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan. Abubakar has a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) for helicopters, with an instrument rating and has flown a total of 7 aircraft types: Bulldog, Piper Warrior, Enstrom, Bell 206, BO–105, Mi–35P, and Mi–17, with thousands of flying hours to his credit.
He held other notable appointments while in the service. These include the Chief of Standards and Evaluation at the NAF Headquarters, the Chief of Defence Communications (Defence Headquarters), the Air Officer Commanding, NAF Training Command (now unbundled into two Commands, namely, Ground Training and Air Training Commands) and the Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters.
Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (rtd) placed a high premium on the welfare of personnel, capacity building, and aircraft serviceability, among others. He changed the face of the air force as Nigerians witnessed a new dawn. While many may have a different opinion, it remains clear that the NAF under his leadership stamped its authority on the nation’s skies. The impression that the force is a representative of its leadership has never rung truer.
We celebrate him more for his selfless service to the nation in the military. Yes, he was also an ambassador and later actively participated in partisan politics. He contested and lost the governorship elections in his state. For many, the Bauchi people missed a political opportunity in him for greater development. Nigeria’s political leadership can tap ‘SB’ for his unwavering passion for the nation’s unity, peace, and development. At 66, he is still strong, energetic and positioned. He is an asset to Nigeria.
Happy birthday to a worthy Nigerian patriot, former Chief of the Air Staff, His Excellency, Air Marshal (Ambassador) Sadique Baba Abubakar (rtd), DFS.
Sqn Ldr (Hon) Tsekaa Gboko (rtd), formerly of the Directorate of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Nigerian Air Force (NAF), sent this special birthday tribute from Makurdi, Benue State, on April 8, 2026