Commander PC Onah of the Nigerian Navy has emerged Best Overall Participant at the Air War Course 11 of 2025, crowning a nine-month programme that tested the strategic and operational capabilities of senior military officers from Nigeria and allied nations.
The course, which commenced on 15 January 2025 at the Nigerian Defence Academy, assembled 29 participants, including 19 officers from the Nigerian Air Force, two from the Nigerian Army, and two from the Nigerian Navy. Five foreign officers also took part: two each from Botswana and Cameroon, and one from Morocco.
Awards were presented to the top performers, with Wing Commander E.A. Okeke placing third, Group Captain J.C. Mbam coming second, and Commander Onah taking the top honour. Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Ngoun-Goun of Cameroon was named Best Allied Participant.
Commander Onah’s research project, “Human Capacity Development and Operational Readiness: The Nigerian Navy Air Arm in Perspective”, addressed gaps in naval aviation and recommended reforms. His proposals included developing bespoke career progression software for the Navy’s Air Arm, reviewing its Aircraft Operations Manual, and collaborating with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to enhance crew training.
A native of Benue State, Onah is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished naval aviators. He made history as the first Nigerian Navy helicopter pilot to ferry an aircraft directly from Leonardo Helicopters in Italy to Nigeria, making stops in more than 21 cities. He also spearheaded the inclusion of key naval aviation units — Naval Air Base Ojo, Naval Flying Unit Port Harcourt, and Naval Air Station Effurun — into the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency’s Aeronautical Information Publication, improving integration with national airspace systems.
Commander Onah’s professional credentials set him apart. He holds both Nigerian and American (Federal Aviation Authority) Airline Transport Pilot licences and is certified as both a Flight Instructor and Flight Instrument Instructor.
Observers say his recognition at the Air War Course reflects not only his personal excellence but also the growing role of the Nigerian Navy in the country’s military aviation. His achievement, they note, is another milestone in a career that blends intellectual rigour, professional skill, and operational innovation to advance the Armed Forces as a whole.
