Author(s) :

ODEY John Idiege.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

This study examined manpower training and development in the Nigerian military, with particular focus on the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the role of the Air Training Command (ATC) from 2005 to 2022. The research investigated the extent to which training policies, strategies, and programmes have influenced the effectiveness, professionalism, and operational readiness of NAF personnel. The study was anchored on Human Capital Theory and Learning Curve Theory, which provided a framework for understanding how investments in training enhance personnel productivity, efficiency, and skill acquisition over time through continuous learning and experience. Guided by these theoretical foundations, a mixed-methods approach was adopted, utilising both primary data (interviews and questionnaires administered to key stakeholders including officers, instructors, and trainees) and secondary sources (official documents, reports, and policy frameworks). The findings revealed that manpower training and development remain central to the NAF’s capacity-building efforts, but challenges such as inadequate funding, limited facilities, evolving security threats, and reliance on foreign training institutions constrained optimal outcomes. Despite these challenges, ATC has contributed significantly to human capital development through the establishment of specialised training schools, curriculum reviews, and increased emphasis on indigenous capacity building. The study concludes that strengthening training policies, expanding infrastructure, and aligning training with modern warfare requirements are essential for enhancing NAF’s operational effectiveness. Recommendations include improved funding, continuous curriculum upgrade, strengthened partnerships with local and foreign institutions, and sustained monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure training meets the demands of contemporary and future security challenges.

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