The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has hit the ground running with a massive shake-up in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), redeploying several senior officers in a move aimed at reinvigorating operational efficiency and enhancing combat readiness.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has hit the ground running with a massive shake-up in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), redeploying several senior officers in a move aimed at reinvigorating operational efficiency and enhancing combat readiness.
The exercise, which affects top commanders across Headquarters, field units, and specialised departments, underscores the new Air Chief’s determination to build what insiders describe as “a smart, adaptive and mission-ready Air Force.”
Announcing the reshuffle in a statement, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the postings were part of Air Marshal Aneke’s strategic blueprint to reposition the Service for greater accountability and responsiveness.
“This redeployment is part of the new Chief of the Air Staff’s strategic intent to realign the Service for improved efficiency, accountability, and operational readiness,” Ejodame stated.
“It ensures that the right mix of experience, innovation, and leadership is placed in key positions to deliver on the CAS’s vision of building a force that is smart, adaptive, and ready to respond to contemporary threats,” he added.
Among the key appointments, AVM Abubakar Abdullahi is now Chief of Policy and Plans; AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun takes charge as Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna; and AVM Ibitayo Ajiboye becomes Group Managing Director, NAF Investment Limited.
Others include AVM Precious Amadi as Chief of Operations; AVM Nnamdi Ananaba, Chief of Air Intelligence; and AVM Ebimobo Ebiowe, Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation.
In a similar vein, AVM Ahmed Dari now heads the Training Branch, while AVM Mohammed Ibrahim leads the Transformation and Innovation Branch — a department seen as critical to NAF’s technological drive.
In the logistics and welfare sector, AVM Olufemi Ogunsina was named Chief of Aircraft Engineering; AVM Michael Onyebashi, AOC Mobility Command; AVM Simon Peter, Managing Director, NAFIL Housing and Construction; and AVM Anthony Martins, Chief of Administration.
The reshuffle also saw the redeployment of several senior officers to inter-service and defence institutions to bolster joint operations and national security coordination.
Ejodame assured that the move would sustain NAF’s rising profile in counterterrorism, air interdiction, and logistics support across operational theatres.
“The Nigerian Air Force under Air Marshal Aneke remains committed to balanced leadership and excellence across all formations.
“This reshuffle marks another significant step in consolidating the Service’s achievements and driving a culture of professionalism, discipline, and innovation,”he said.
He added that the Service was now “poised to usher in a new era of smarter, more adaptive air operations, a force built not merely for power, but for purpose, protection, and progress.”