Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar CFR psc (+) DFS GSS fwc fdc(+) MSc
Chief of the Air Staff
In office 21 July 2015 – 29 January 2021
Preceded by	Air Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu
Succeeded by	Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao
Personal details
Born	(1960-04-08) 8 April 1960 (age 63) Azare, Northern Region, British Nigeria (now in Bauchi State, Nigeria)
Spouse	Hafsat Sadique Abubakar
Military service
Allegiance	Nigeria
Branch/service	Nigerian Air Force
Years of service	1979–2021
Rank	Air Marshal

Sadique Baba Abubakar CFR psc (+) DFS GSS fwc fdc(+) MSc (born 8 April 1960) is a retired air marshal in the Nigerian Air Force and former Chief of the Air Staff of Nigeria.^[1][2]

In 2023, he contested for governor of Bauchi State in the 2023 Bauchi State gubernatorial election, under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, losing to the incumbent governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Background and education

Sadique Baba Abubakar was born on 8 April 1960, in Azare, Bauchi State. He had his primary education at St Paul's Primary School Bauchi from 1967 to 1973 and for his secondary education, he attended Government Secondary School, Bauchi. Abubakar joined the Nigerian Air Force as a member of Cadet Military Training Course (CMTC 5) in November 1979.^[3]

Abubakar has a Diploma in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree (second class upper division) in political science. He also holds a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Studies from University of Ibadan. Abubakar has a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Helicopters with Instrument Rating and has flown a total of seven aircraft types: Bulldog, Piper Warrior, Enstrom, Bell 206, BO-105, Mi-35P and Mi- 17.^[3]

Career

Abubakar's previous appointments include Chief of Standards and Evaluation, NAF Headquarters, Chief of Defence Communications and Air Officer Commanding, NAF Training Command. He served as Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters prior to his appointment as Chief of Air Staff.^[4]

Training

• Directing Staff, Junior Division Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

• Staff, Senior Division Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

• Directing Staff, National Defence College.

• External Examiner at the National Defence College.

• Chairman, Participant’s Project Defence

Awards and decorations

In October 2022, a Nigerian national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.^[5]

• Best Cadet in Flying at Primary Flying Training Wing in 1981.
• Best All Round Cadet at Primary Flying Training Wing in 1981.
• Tactical Air Command Best Officer of the Year in 1997.
• Chief of the Air Staff’s Letter of Commendation for good leadership and prudent management of resources by Air Marshal OO Petinrin in 2009.
• Chief of the Air Staff’s Letter of Commendation for good leadership and prudent management of resources by Air Marshal MD Umar in 2011.
• Chief of the Air Staff’s Special Award from Air Marshal AS Badeh in 2013.
• Distinguished Flying Star (DFS).
• General Service Star (GSS).
• Passed Staff Course ‘Dagger’ psc(+).
• Distinguished Fellow of the National Defence College fdc(+).
• Distinguished Alumni of National Defence College.
• Distinguished Alumnus Ibadan Strategic Studies.
• Fellow Society for Peace Studies and Practice (Uni Ibadan).