Ibrahim Alfa was one of the pioneering sets of officer cadets who enlisted into the Nigeria Air force in June 1963.

On 28 August 1963, he was flown, along with a team of 83 other Nigerians, to Uetersen, Germany, for Basic and Advance Military Training.

He was in Germany until 21 June 1966, when he was recalled home with the team and commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force with the rank of second lieutenant.

In 1970 he was appointed the Commanding Officer, Nigerian Air force (NAF) Flying Training Wing, Kano.

From December 1972 to August 1973, Ibrahim Alfa enrolled for the T-38 Instructor Pilot course at Lockheed and Randolph Air Force Base, in the United States.

On 1 January 1984, he was appointed the eighth Chief of Air Staff by General Muhammadu Buhari's regime.

After General Ibrahim Babangida took power in August 1985, he retained Alfa as Chief of Air Staff.