NAF Redeploys 67 Air Vice Marshals In Major Leadership Shake-Up

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has redeployed about 67 Air Vice Marshals (AVMs) in a major leadership shake-up aimed at strengthening command effectiveness, improving operational readiness and enhancing institutional capacity.

The latest postings and appointments, approved by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on November 7, 2026, take effect from November 2026.

NAF Spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement, saying the exercise was designed to sustain operational effectiveness in support of national security objectives.

He said the appointments covered Service Headquarters, operational commands, Defence Headquarters, training institutions and other strategic establishments.

According to him, the redeployment was intended to align leadership competencies and professional experience with the Air Force’s evolving operational and institutional priorities.

At the NAF Headquarters, AVM AK Ademuwagun has been appointed Chief of Transformation and Innovation, while AVM IV Ajiboye becomes Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation.

Other appointments include AVM PN Amadi as Chief of Air Intelligence; AVM NN Ananaba as Chief of Operations; AVM AH Bakari as Air Provost Marshal; AVM EE Efiom as Chief of Training; and AVM MS Ibrahim as Chairman, Air Expo and International Liaison.

Also appointed are 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, Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited Group of Companies, while AVM NS Okoro has been appointed Director-General, AFRDI.

Other appointments at the headquarters include 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.

At the operational command level, AVM NI Ilo has been appointed Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Tactical Air Command, while AVM BR Mamman takes over Mobility Command.

AVM OS Ogunsina becomes AOC, Logistics Command; AVM MN Onyebashi is appointed AOC, Special Operations Command; and AVM FCS Nwakara takes over as AOC, Ground Training Command.

In the area of military education and training, AVM PB Philips has been appointed Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), while AVM MC Ekwueme becomes Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (AFRC).

Other appointments include AVM AO Akinbunwa as Commandant, Air Force War College; AVM A Idris as Commandant, Air Warfare Doctrine Centre; AVM JA Ekwuribe as Commandant, Regiment Training 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 the strategic defence level, AVM UK Abdullahi has been appointed Director of Defence Operations at Defence Headquarters (DHQ), while AVM EOE Ebiowe moves to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as Deputy Coordinator, National Intelligence.

AVM DDG Pwajok becomes Director of Technical Services, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), while AVM I Sani is appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Other appointments at DHQ include AVM AA Shinkafi as Director of Liaison; AVM AO Shogbamu as Director of Military Strategy; 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.

At the Defence Space Administration (DSA), AVM AA Suleh has been appointed Deputy Chief, while AVM OA Oyename becomes Director of Earth Observation and AVM SS Lazarus takes over as Director of Launch Vehicles and Space Operations.

AVM OT Salami has been posted to the Defence Space Command Centre (DSCC) as Deputy Chief, while AVM AI Hanidu becomes Director of Integrated Air Power Studies at the Air Power Centre of Excellence (APCOE).

Other appointments at APCOE include AVM OF Akinboyewa as Deputy Director-General and AVM MM Omar as Director, Museum/Hall of Fame.

AVM DO Dickson has also been appointed General Manager, Operations, Defence Health Care Limited (DHCL).

To strengthen operational command structures, AVM JI Ukeh has been appointed Commander, Nigerian Air Defence Corps (NADC).

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 been appointed Deputy Force Commander, Operation HADIN KAI.

In other appointments, AVM CE Akubue becomes Managing Director, Aircraft Engineering and Technical Services Limited (AETSL), while AVM CE Akpa is appointed Commander, Headquarters NAF Camp.

Additional professional military education appointments include AVM SA Eyoma as Deputy Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology; AVM FO Ankeli as Commandant, Air Traffic Services Training Centre; and AVM U Ariahu as Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics and Management.

The statement said the strategic realignment reflected the NAF’s commitment to leadership renewal, stronger 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 effects in support of joint operations and national security objectives.

He directed all affected officers to assume their new appointments and complete the necessary handover and takeover formalities not later than November 13, 2026.