- Moves to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen command capacity
BY EDMOND ODOK – Following closely in the footsteps of his Nigerian Army counterpart barely 24 hours after assuming office, the new Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has approved sweeping changes in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) with several senior officers reassigned across commands and units nationwide.
Coming on the heels of President Bola Tinubu’s charge to Service Chiefs to deliver on national security reforms and institutional accountability, the restructuring is considered Aneke’s first key move to align the Air Force with the President’s renewed security directives.
A statement signed by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF Spokesperson, said the redeployment is meant to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen command capacity, and improve response to the country’s evolving security threats.
The statement further read, “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.”
Additionally, the statement said among those affected are Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdullahi, now Chief of Policy and Plans; AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun who takes over as Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna; and AVM Ibitayo Ajiboye, 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; and AVM Mohammed Ibrahim now heads the Transformation and Innovation Branch.
Foe the logistics and engineering sectors, AVM Olufemi Ogunsina is the new Chief of Aircraft Engineering; AVM Michael Onyebashi takes over as Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Mobility Command; AVM Abubakar Sule head the Logistics Command as AOC; AVM Anthony Martins, now Chief of Administration; AVM David Pwajok, Chief of Communication and Information Systems; AVM John Ukeh, Air Provost Marshal; and AVM Chidiebere Obiabaka, Air Secretary.
Other faces are AVM Simon Peter named Managing Director of NAFIL Housing and Construction Company; AVM Abdulrasheed Kotun, Managing Director of NAF Farms; AVM Edward Gabkwet is now Chief of Civil-Military Relations; and AVM Osichinaka Ubadike who 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 reshufflement underscores Air Marshal Aneke’s commitment to “balance leadership, institutional reform, and the President’s directive for a results-driven military.”
The statement further said, “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.”
