NAF Announces Major Leadership Shake-Up

….Appoints New Air Commanders

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has approved a major leadership reshuffle involving senior officers across its operational commands, strategic institutions and Defence Headquarters in a move aimed at strengthening operational effectiveness and enhancing national security.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, approved the new appointments and postings on November 7, 2026, with the changes taking effect this month.

The exercise affects several Air Vice Marshals (AVMs), who have been assigned new responsibilities at Service Headquarters, operational commands, military training institutions and other strategic defence establishments.

Under the new arrangement, AVM NI Ilo has been appointed Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Tactical Air Command, while AVM BR Mamman takes over as AOC, Mobility Command.

Other key operational appointments include AVM OS Ogunsina as AOC, Logistics Command; AVM MN Onyebashi as AOC, Special Operations Command; and AVM FCS Nwakara as AOC, Ground Training Command.

At the NAF Headquarters, AVM AK Ademuwagun has been appointed Chief of Transformation and Innovation, while AVM NN Ananaba becomes Chief of Operations.

Other appointments include AVM PN Amadi as Chief of Air Intelligence; AVM EE Efiom as Chief of Training; AVM MA Sulaiman as Chief of Communications and Information Systems; AVM AH Bakari as Air Provost Marshal; and AVM AJ Laoye as Chief of Aircraft Engineering.

In the 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.

Also, AVM I Sani becomes Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence, while AVM ZA Usman has been appointed Director of Cyber Operations and AVM EK Gabkwet as Director of Civil-Military Relations at the Defence Headquarters.

The reshuffle also extends to the military’s training and professional development 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, Air Force War College; AVM OC Ubadike as Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology; and AVM AI Sambo as Commandant, Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics and Management.

Similarly, AVM M Yusuf has been appointed Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

To strengthen the country’s air defence and ongoing military operations, AVM JI Ukeh has been appointed Commander of the Nigerian Air Defence Corps, while AVM GI Jibia becomes Deputy Force Commander of Operation HADIN KAI.

The Defence Space Administration also witnessed key appointments, with AVM AA Suleh named 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.

In addition, AVM OT Salami has been posted to the Defence Space Command Centre as Deputy Chief.

The NAF also announced appointments across its aviation engineering, logistics, research, intelligence and administrative structures, alongside new leadership positions in affiliated military establishments.

According to the Service, the strategic realignment is part of its commitment to leadership renewal, institutional accountability and improved operational readiness.

The Chief of the Air Staff expressed confidence that the newly appointed officers would deploy their professional competence and experience to advance his Command Philosophy and strengthen the Air Force’s capacity to deliver decisive airpower effects in support of joint military operations.

All affected officers have been directed to assume their new positions and complete the necessary handover and takeover formalities on or before November 13, 2026.