Aneke Reshuffles Senior Air Force Officers in Fresh Command Realignment

In a move reminiscent of the recent Nigerian Army shake-up, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke, has approved the redeployment of several senior officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in what the service described as a strategic step to enhance operational efficiency and command effectiveness.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, disclosed the new postings in a statement on Thursday, noting that the exercise affects key positions at the force headquarters, field commands, and operational units nationwide.

According to Ejodame, the reshuffle aims to strengthen decision-making, improve mission readiness, and sustain ongoing transformation efforts within the service.

Among those affected are Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Abubakar Abdullahi, now Chief of Policy and Plans; AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun, Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna; and AVM Ibitayo Ajiboye, Group Managing Director of the NAF Investment Limited (NAFIL).

Others include AVM Precious Amadi, Chief of Operations; AVM Nnamdi Ananaba, Chief of Air Intelligence; AVM Ebimobo Ebiowe, Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation; and AVM Ahmed Dari, Chief of Training.

AVM Mohammed Ibrahim now heads the Transformation and Innovation Branch, reflecting NAF’s renewed focus on technology-driven operations.

In the logistics and engineering departments, AVM Olufemi Ogunsina assumes duty as Chief of Aircraft Engineering, while AVM Michael Onyebashi becomes Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command.

Also affected are AVM David Pwajok, Chief of Communication and Information Systems; AVM John Ukeh, Air Provost Marshal; AVM Simon Peter, Managing Director, NAFIL Housing and Construction Company; and AVM Chidiebere Obiabaka, Air Secretary.

Similarly, AVM Anthony Martins has been appointed Chief of Administration, while AVM Abubakar Sule takes charge as Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command. AVM Abdulrasheed Kotun becomes Managing Director, NAF Farms, with AVM Edward Gabkwet now Chief of Civil-Military Relations.

The statement further listed AVMs Ahmed Bakari, Albert Bot, Idi Sani, Muhammed Suleiman, Jibrin Usman, and Japheht Ekwuribe among other senior officers redeployed to various defence and inter-service establishments.

Ejodame said the exercise is intended to ensure balanced leadership, promote institutional growth, and sustain the reform momentum under Air Marshal Aneke’s administration.

“With this new wave of appointments, the Nigerian Air Force is poised to consolidate its achievements and usher in a smarter, more adaptive era of air operations,” the statement added.

The redeployment follows a similar exercise by the Nigerian Army, which recently reassigned 60 major generals and 11 brigadier generals across formations and units.