By Joy Odor, Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has carried out a major shake-up of its top command structure, redeploying several senior officers in a decisive move to boost operational efficiency, reinforce synergy, and align with the strategic vision of its new Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.
The sweeping reorganization, approved by the CAS and announced on Thursday, affects key leadership roles across NAF Headquarters, operational commands, training institutions, and specialized units signaling what insiders describe as “a new phase of modernization, mission readiness, and strategic innovation” within the Service.
Air Marshal Aneke, who assumed command earlier this month, said the redeployments are part of broader reforms designed to “enhance command effectiveness, accelerate decision-making, and strengthen the Air Force’s ability to deliver precision, power, and protection in a rapidly evolving security environment.”
“This exercise is not merely administrative,” the CAS noted. “It is a deliberate effort to build a smarter, more agile, and technologically advanced Air Force capable of meeting both traditional and emerging threats to our national security.”
Among the key appointments, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Abubakar Abdullahi was named Chief of Policy and Plans, while AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun assumes duty as Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna. AVM Ibitayo Ajiboye becomes Group Managing Director, Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited (NAFIL) Group of Companies, and AVM Precious Amadi takes over as Chief of Operations. AVM Nnamdi Ananaba now serves as Chief of Air Intelligence, while AVM Ebimobo Ebiowe was appointed Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation.
In other key roles, AVM Ahmed Dari becomes Chief of Training, and AVM Mohammed Ibrahim takes charge of the Transformation and Innovation Branch, a new thrust aimed at driving technological efficiency across the Service.
The logistics and engineering directorates also received fresh leadership: AVM Olufemi Ogunsina was appointed Chief of Aircraft Engineering, AVM Michael Onyebashi now leads Mobility Command as Air Officer Commanding (AOC), and AVM David Pwajok assumes the post of Chief of Communication and Information Systems.
AVM John Ukeh takes over as Air Provost Marshal, while AVM Simon Peter becomes Managing Director of NAFIL Housing and Construction Company.
Further strengthening the Air Force’s administrative backbone, AVM Chidiebere Obiabaka was appointed Air Secretary, AVM Anthony Martins as Chief of Administration, and AVM Abubakar Sule as AOC, Logistics Command.
AVM Abdulrasheed Kotun now heads NAF Farms, while AVM Edward Gabkwet, the Service’s former spokesperson assumes the role of Chief of Civil-Military Relations. AVM Osichinaka Ubadike was named Deputy Commandant, AFIT.
The redeployment also extends to key defence and inter-service posts, with AVMs Ahmed Bakari, Albert Bot, Idi Sani, Muhammed Suleiman, Jibrin Usman, and Japheth Ekwuribe reassigned to strengthen Nigeria’s joint defence operations.
In a statement signed by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, the Air Force described the redeployments as a “strategic measure to ensure balanced leadership, institutional stability, and continuity in the pursuit of airpower excellence.”
The statement added that the new structure reflects Air Marshal Aneke’s vision of “a Nigerian Air Force built not merely for power, but for purpose, protection, and progress.”
Analysts view the overhaul as a signal of Aneke’s readiness to usher in a modernized Air Force focused on precision-led warfare, inter-agency collaboration, and data-driven operations all anchored on innovation and professionalism.
