Aneke Redraws NAF Command Map With Sweeping Reshuffle of Senior Officers
The Nigerian Air Force has moved dozens of its most senior officers into new roles, in a sweeping shake-up that touches its operational commands, training institutions, Defence Headquarters and strategic establishments.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, approved the exercise on November 7. Officers are expected to complete handover and takeover formalities by November 13, 2026.
At Air Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) NN Ananaba becomes Chief of Operations, while AVM AK Ademuwagun takes charge of Transformation and Innovation. AVM PN Amadi is the new Chief of Air Intelligence, AVM EE Efiom heads Training, and AVM AJ Laoye leads Aircraft Engineering. AVM AG Kehinde takes over Civil-Military Relations, AVM MA Sulaiman will run Communications and Information Systems, and AVM MS Ibrahim becomes Chairman, Air Expo and International Liaison.
The fighting commands also get fresh leadership. AVM NI Ilo will lead the Tactical Air Command, AVM BR Mamman the Mobility Command, AVM OS Ogunsina the Logistics Command, AVM MN Onyebashi the Special Operations Command and AVM FCS Nwakara the Ground Training Command.
Training institutions are not spared. AVM PB Philips becomes Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, AVM MC Ekwueme heads the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, AVM AO Akinbunwa takes the Air Force War College, and AVM OC Ubadike the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Several officers also move into joint and national security roles. AVM UK Abdullahi is the new Director of Defence Operations, while AVM EOE Ebiowe goes to the Office of the National Security Adviser as Deputy Coordinator, National Intelligence. At the Defence Intelligence Agency, AVM DDG Pwajok becomes Director of Technical Services and AVM I Sani Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence.
On the frontline, AVM GI Jibia is now Deputy Force Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, and AVM JI Ukeh takes over the Nigerian Air Defence Corps. AVM CE Akubue becomes Managing Director of Aircraft Engineering and Technical Services Limited, and AVM CE Akpa is Commander of Headquarters NAF Camp. The reshuffle also extends to the Defence Space Administration, Defence Space Command Centre and Air Power Centre of Excellence.
Announcing the changes on Sunday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the exercise reflects the service’s commitment to leadership renewal, institutional accountability and operational effectiveness.
He said Aneke is confident the new appointees will draw on their experience to advance his command philosophy and strengthen the military’s capacity to support joint operations.