The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced a major leadership reshuffle involving senior officers across its operational commands, training institutions, Defence Headquarters and strategic establishments.
The exercise, approved by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, on November 7, is aimed at strengthening command effectiveness, improving operational readiness and enhancing the service’s capacity to tackle security challenges.
The new appointments take effect from November 2026, with affected officers expected to complete their handover and takeover formalities by November 13.
At the 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 is the new Chief of Air Intelligence, AVM EE Efiom takes over as Chief of Training, while AVM AJ Laoye becomes Chief of Aircraft Engineering.
Other key appointments include AVM AG Kehinde as Chief of Civil-Military Relations, AVM MS Ibrahim as Chairman, Air Expo and International Liaison, and AVM MA Sulaiman as Chief of Communications and Information Systems.
In the operational commands, AVM NI Ilo has been appointed Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Tactical Air Command.
AVM BR Mamman becomes AOC, Mobility Command, while AVM OS Ogunsina takes charge of Logistics Command.
AVM MN Onyebashi has been appointed AOC, Special Operations Command, while AVM FCS Nwakara becomes AOC, Ground Training Command.
The reshuffle also affects major military training institutions.
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.
AVM AO Akinbunwa is the new Commandant of the Air Force War College, while AVM OC Ubadike takes charge of the Air Force Institute of Technology.
At the Defence Headquarters, AVM UK Abdullahi has been appointed Director of Defence Operations.
AVM EOE Ebiowe moves to the Office of the National Security Adviser as Deputy Coordinator, National Intelligence.
Other appointments include AVM DDG Pwajok as Director of Technical Services at the Defence Intelligence Agency and AVM I Sani as Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The reshuffle also covers the Defence Space Administration, Defence Space Command Centre and Air Power Centre of Excellence.
Additionally, AVM GI Jibia has been appointed Deputy Force Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, while AVM JI Ukeh becomes Commander of the Nigerian Air Defence Corps.
AVM CE Akubue has been appointed Managing Director of Aircraft Engineering and Technical Services Limited, while AVM CE Akpa becomes Commander, Headquarters NAF Camp.
Announcing the appointments in a statement on Sunday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the exercise reflected the Air Force’s commitment to leadership renewal, institutional accountability and operational effectiveness.
He quoted the Chief of the Air Staff as expressing confidence that the newly appointed officers would use their professional experience to advance his command philosophy and strengthen the military’s capacity to support joint operations.
The Air Force said all affected officers must assume their new responsibilities and complete the necessary handover arrangements by November 13, 2026.
