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Barely 24 hours after assuming office, the new Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has carried out a sweeping shake-up in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), redeploying several senior officers across commands and units nationwide.
The restructuring — coming swiftly after President Bola Tinubu’s charge to service chiefs to deliver on national security reforms and institutional accountability — is being seen as Aneke’s first major move to align the Air Force with the President’s renewed security directives.
In a statement signed by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF spokesperson, the Force said the redeployment was aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening command capacity, and improving response to the country’s evolving security threats.
“The new postings are designed to optimize command effectiveness, improve decision-making, and consolidate the Air Force’s readiness posture in line with the Chief of Air Staff’s vision,” the statement read.
Among those affected is Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdullahi, now Chief of Policy and Plans, while AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun takes over as Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna. AVM Ibitayo Ajiboye has been appointed Group Managing Director of the NAF Investment Limited (NAFIL) Group of Companies.
Others include AVM Precious Amadi, now Chief of Operations; AVM Nnamdi Ananaba, Chief of Air Intelligence; and AVM Ebimobo Ebiowe, Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation. AVM Ahmed Dari becomes Chief of Training, while AVM Mohammed Ibrahim now heads the Transformation and Innovation Branch.
In the logistics and engineering sectors, AVM Olufemi Ogunsina is the new Chief of Aircraft Engineering, and AVM Michael Onyebashi takes over as Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Mobility Command. AVM Abubakar Sule will head the Logistics Command as AOC.
Also redeployed are AVM Anthony Martins, Chief of Administration; AVM David Pwajok, Chief of Communication and Information Systems; AVM John Ukeh, Air Provost Marshal; and AVM Chidiebere Obiabaka, Air Secretary.
AVM Simon Peter has been named Managing Director of NAFIL Housing and Construction Company, while AVM Abdulrasheed Kotun takes over as Managing Director of NAF Farms. AVM Edward Gabkwet is now Chief of Civil-Military Relations, and AVM Osichinaka Ubadike becomes Deputy Commandant of AFIT.
Other senior officers affected include AVMs Ahmed Bakari, Albert Bot, Idi Sani, Muhammed Suleiman, Jibrin Usman, and Japheht Ekwuribe, who have been assigned to various defence and inter-service establishments.
According to the Air Force, the sweeping reshuffle underscores Aneke’s commitment to “balanced leadership, institutional reform, and the President’s directive for a results-driven military.”
“With this new wave of appointments, the Nigerian Air Force is poised to consolidate its achievements and usher in an era of smarter, more adaptive air operations,” the statement said.
