NIGERIA: The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has redeployed 41 Air Vice Marshals (AVMs) and appointed new commanders across its operational units, training institutions and strategic defence establishments in a major restructuring of its senior leadership.
The exercise, approved by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, takes immediate effect and is aimed at strengthening command effectiveness, improving institutional capacity and sustaining operational readiness.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, announced the appointments, saying they were designed to align the professional experience of senior officers with the service’s evolving operational and institutional priorities.
He said the postings covered Service Headquarters, operational commands, Defence Headquarters, training institutions and other strategic establishments.
At NAF Headquarters, AVM AK Ademuwagun has been appointed Chief of Transformation and Innovation; AVM IV Ajiboye, Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation; AVM PN Amadi, Chief of Air Intelligence; AVM NN Ananaba, Chief of Operations; and AVM AH Bakari, Air Provost Marshal.
Other appointments at the headquarters include AVM EE Efiom as Chief of Training; AVM MS Ibrahim as Chairman, Air Expo and International Liaison; AVM AG Kehinde as Chief of Civil-Military Relations; AVM MA Sulaiman as Chief of Communications and Information Systems; AVM S Peters as Coordinator, Project Implementation Team; and AVM AJ Laoye as Chief of Aircraft Engineering.
AVM AY Dari becomes General Manager of the Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited Group of Companies, while AVM NS Okoro has been appointed Director-General of AFRDI.
At the operational command level, AVM NI Ilo takes over as Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Tactical Air Command; AVM BR Mamman becomes AOC, Mobility Command; AVM OS Ogunsina assumes command of Logistics Command; AVM MN Onyebashi becomes AOC, Special Operations Command; and AVM FCS Nwakara takes over 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.
Other appointments include AVM AO Akinbunwa as Commandant of the Air Force War College; AVM A Idris as Commandant of the Air Warfare Doctrine Centre; AVM JA Ekwuribe as Commandant of the Regiment Training Centre; AVM OC Ubadike as Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology; and AVM AI Sambo as Commandant of the Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics and Management.
AVM M Yusuf has been appointed Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
At the strategic defence level, AVM UK Abdullahi becomes Director of Defence Operations at Defence Headquarters, while AVM EOE Ebiowe moves to the Office of the National Security Adviser as Deputy Coordinator, National Intelligence.
Other appointments at Defence Headquarters include AVM DDG Pwajok as Director of Technical Services, Defence Intelligence Agency; AVM I Sani as Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence; AVM AA Shinkafi as Director of Liaison; and AVM AO Shogbamu as Director of Military Strategy.
Also appointed are AVM RK Olanrewaju as Director of Search and Rescue; AVM J Usman as Director of Special Duties; AVM JJ Ijudigal as Director of Sports; AVM ZA Usman as Director of Cyber Operations; AVM EK Gabkwet as Director of Civil-Military Relations; and AVM GAA Bello as Director of Joint Warfare Doctrine.
The Defence Space Administration also receives new leadership appointments, with AVM AA Suleh named Deputy Chief, AVM OA Oyename appointed Director of Earth Observation, and AVM SS Lazarus taking charge of Launch Vehicles and Space Operations.
At the Defence Space Command Centre, AVM OT Salami becomes Deputy Chief.
Meanwhile, AVM AI Hanidu has been appointed Director of Integrated Air Power Studies at the Air Power Centre of Excellence, where AVM OF Akinboyewa becomes Deputy Director-General and AVM MM Omar takes charge as Director of Museum/Hall of Fame.
Other appointments include AVM DO Dickson as General Manager, Operations, Defence Health Care Limited.
The reshuffle further provides for new appointments at NAF Headquarters, including AVM AK Famuyiwa as Director of Coordination and Cooperation; AVM AK Bello as Director of Armament; AVM YA Katabiya as Director of Logistics; AVM EO Ashiegbu as Director of Policy; AVM GA Mbaka as Director of Aircraft Engineering; AVM AL Dakwat as Director of Research and Development; AVM SO Eyekosi as Director of Plans; and AVM AG Akinyimika as Director of Personnel Management.
To strengthen operational command structures, AVM JI Ukeh has been appointed Commander of the Nigerian Air Defence Corps.
Other appointments include AVM OA Abu as Chief of Staff, Mobility Command; AVM I Subi as Chief of Staff, Special Operations Command; AVM NB Folaji as Chief of Staff, Tactical Air Command; AVM F Ekpah as Chief of Staff, Ground Training Command; AVM ES Odekina as Chief of Staff, Logistics Command; and AVM M Umar as Chief of Staff, Air Training Command.
AVM GI Jibia has also been appointed Deputy Force Commander of Operation HADIN KAI.
In other postings, AVM CE Akubue becomes Managing Director of Aircraft Engineering and Technical Services Limited, while AVM CE Akpa has been appointed Commander, Headquarters NAF Camp.
The professional military education sector also receives new appointments, with AVM SA Eyoma named Deputy Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology; AVM FO Ankeli appointed Commandant of the Air Traffic Services Training Centre; and AVM U Ariahu named Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics and Management.
Ejodame said the realignment reflected the Air Force’s commitment to leadership renewal, institutional accountability and improved operational effectiveness.
Aneke expressed confidence that the professional competence and experience of the newly appointed officers would advance his Command Philosophy and strengthen the service’s capacity to deliver airpower support for joint military operations and national security.
All affected officers are expected to assume their new positions and complete handover and takeover formalities by November 13, 2026.
