The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has approved a major leadership reshuffle involving senior officers across its operational commands, strategic institutions and Defence Headquarters to strengthen command effectiveness, institutional capacity and operational readiness.
The exercise, approved by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, on November 7, 2026, takes effect this month.
The appointments cover Service Headquarters, operational commands, training institutions, Defence Headquarters, the Office of the National Security Adviser and other strategic establishments.
At NAF Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) AK Ademuwagun has been appointed Chief of Transformation and Innovation, while AVM NN Ananaba becomes Chief of Operations. AVM PN Amadi takes over as Chief of Air Intelligence, AVM EE Efiom as Chief of Training, and AVM AJ Laoye as Chief of Aircraft Engineering.
Other key appointments include AVM AG Kehinde as Chief of Civil-Military Relations; AVM MA Sulaiman as Chief of Communications and Information Systems; AVM AH Bakari as Air Provost Marshal; AVM AK Ademuwagun as Chief of Transformation and Innovation; and AVM MS Ibrahim as Chairman, Air Expo and International Liaison.
At the operational command level, AVM NI Ilo has been appointed Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Tactical Air Command, while AVM BR Mamman assumes command of Mobility Command.
AVM OS Ogunsina becomes AOC, Logistics Command; AVM MN Onyebashi takes over Special Operations Command, while AVM FCS Nwakara becomes AOC, Ground Training Command.
In the area of military education and institutional leadership, AVM PB Philips has been appointed Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, while AVM MC Ekwueme becomes Commandant of the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre.
Other appointments include AVM AO Akinbunwa as Commandant, Air Force War College; AVM A Idris as Commandant, Air Warfare Doctrine Centre; AVM OC Ubadike as Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology; AVM AI Sambo as Commandant, Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics and Management; and AVM M Yusuf as Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy.
At Defence Headquarters, AVM UK Abdullahi has been appointed Director of Defence Operations, while AVM EOE Ebiowe moves to the Office of the National Security Adviser as Deputy Coordinator, National Intelligence.
Other senior appointments include AVM I Sani as Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence; AVM DDG Pwajok as Director of Technical Services, Defence Intelligence Agency; AVM ZA Usman as Director of Cyber Operations; AVM EK Gabkwet as Director of Civil-Military Relations; and AVM AO Shogbamu as Director of Military Strategy.
The reshuffle also affects the Defence Space Administration, with AVM AA Suleh appointed Deputy Chief, while AVM OA Oyename becomes Director of Earth Observation and AVM SS Lazarus takes charge as Director of Launch Vehicles and Space Operations.
AVM OT Salami has been posted to the Defence Space Command Centre as Deputy Chief, while AVM AI Hanidu becomes Director of Integrated Air Power Studies at the Air Power Centre of Excellence.
Further appointments include AVM JI Ukeh as Commander, Nigerian Air Defence Corps, and AVM GI Jibia as Deputy Force Commander, Operation HADIN KAI.
AVM CE Akubue has been appointed Managing Director of Aircraft Engineering and Technical Services Limited, while AVM CE Akpa becomes Commander, Headquarters NAF Camp.
The reshuffle also includes new appointments in logistics, personnel management, research and development, policy, armament, aircraft engineering and operational planning across the Service.
In a statement, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the realignment reflected the Service’s commitment to leadership renewal, institutional accountability and improved operational effectiveness.
According to the statement, Air Marshal Aneke expressed confidence that the professional competence and experience of the newly appointed officers would advance his Command Philosophy and strengthen the NAF’s capacity to deliver decisive airpower effects in support of joint operations and national security objectives.
All affected officers are expected to assume their new positions and complete the necessary handover and takeover formalities on or before November 13, 2026.
