In a sweeping overhaul of its command structure, the Nigerian Air Force has announced a major leadership reshuffle, redeploying dozens of senior officers to strategic positions across its operational commands, intelligence units, military institutions and defence establishments.
The exercise, approved by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, is aimed at strengthening operational efficiency, enhancing institutional capacity and improving the force’s readiness to tackle Nigeria’s evolving security threats.
The NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, announced the appointments in a statement issued in Abuja, confirming that the changes would take effect in November.
At the Air Force Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal N.N. Ananaba has been named Chief of Operations, while AVM P.N. Amadi takes charge of Air Intelligence.
Other key appointments include AVM E.E. Efiom as Chief of Training, AVM A.J. Laoye as Chief of Aircraft Engineering, AVM A.K. Ademuwagun as Chief of Transformation and Innovation, and AVM A.G. Kehinde as Chief of Civil-Military Relations.
AVM M.A. Sulaiman becomes Chief of Communications and Information Systems, while AVM A.H. Bakari takes over as Air Provost Marshal.
The reshuffle also places AVM I.V. Ajiboye in charge of Standards and Evaluation, AVM M.S. Ibrahim as Chairman of Air Expo and International Liaison, and AVM S. Peters as Coordinator of the Project Implementation Team.
At the operational level, AVM N.I. Ilo has been appointed Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, while AVM B.R. Mamman takes over Mobility Command.
AVM O.S. Ogunsina becomes Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command; AVM M.N. Onyebashi heads Special Operations Command, while AVM F.C.S. Nwakara takes charge of Ground Training Command.
The changes extend beyond the Air Force, with several senior officers moving into strategic defence and national security positions.
At the Defence Headquarters, AVM U.K. Abdullahi has been appointed Director of Defence Operations, while AVM E.O.E. Ebiowe moves to the Office of the National Security Adviser as Deputy Coordinator, National Intelligence.
Other postings include AVM D.D.G. Pwajok as Director of Technical Services at the Defence Intelligence Agency, AVM I. Sani as Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence and AVM A.A. Shinkafi as Director of Liaison.
Additional appointments cover military strategy, search and rescue, special duties, cyber operations and civil-military relations, with AVMs A.O. Shogbamu, R.K. Olanrewaju, J. Usman, Z.A. Usman and E.K. Gabkwet assigned to the respective directorates.
The leadership changes also affect the country’s military training institutions, with new commandants appointed to several strategic colleges and centres.
AVM P.B. Philips will head the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, while AVM M.C. Ekwueme takes charge of the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre.
AVM A.O. Akinbunwa has been appointed Commandant of the Air Force War College, AVM A. Idris will lead the Air Warfare Doctrine Centre, and AVM J.A. Ekwuribe takes over the Regiment Training Centre.
Others include AVM O.C. Ubadike as Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology, AVM A.I. Sambo as Commandant of the Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics and Management, and AVM M. Yusuf as Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
The Defence Space Administration is also part of the restructuring, with AVM A.A. Suleh appointed Deputy Chief.
AVMs O.A. Oyename and S.S. Lazarus will oversee Earth Observation and Launch Vehicles, and Space Operations, respectively, while AVM O.T. Salami becomes Deputy Chief at the Defence Space Command Centre.
In another strategic posting, AVM A.I. Hanidu has been named Director of Integrated Air Power Studies at the Air Power Centre of Excellence.
Other appointments include AVM J.I. Ukeh as Commander of the Nigerian Air Defence Corps and AVM G.I. Jibia as Deputy Force Commander of Operation Hadin Kai.
AVM A.Y. Dari will head the Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited Group of Companies, while AVM N.S. Okoro takes over as Director-General of AFRDI.
According to the Air Force, all affected officers are expected to report to their new positions and conclude handover procedures on or before November 13.
The Chief of the Air Staff expressed confidence that the experience and professional expertise of the newly appointed officers would strengthen the service’s leadership structure and advance its operational objectives.
The reshuffle comes as the military continues to intensify efforts against insurgency, terrorism and other security threats, with the Air Force expected to play a critical role in supporting joint military operations across the country.
