By TONY UDOKA
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has approved the redeployment of 25 senior officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in what he described as a strategic move to strengthen operational efficiency and sharpen the service’s response to evolving security threats.
In a statement issued on Friday by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, the exercise affects key positions at the Force Headquarters, field commands, and operational units across the country.
Ejodame said the reshuffle is part of ongoing efforts to optimise command effectiveness, improve decision-making, and reinforce mission readiness.
Those affected in the new postings include AVM Abubakar Abdullahi, appointed Chief of Policy and Plans; AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun, Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna; AVM Ibitayo Ajiboye, Group Managing Director, NAF Investment Limited (NAFIL); AVM Precious Amadi, Chief of Operations; AVM Nnamdi Ananaba, Chief of Air Intelligence; AVM Ebimobo Ebiowe, Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation; AVM Ahmed Dari, Chief of Training; and AVM Mohammed Ibrahim, Head of the Transformation and Innovation Branch.
In the logistics and engineering directorates, AVM Olufemi Ogunsina takes charge as Chief of Aircraft Engineering, while AVM Michael Onyebashi becomes Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Mobility Command. AVM David Pwajok assumes office as Chief of Communication and Information Systems, and AVM John Ukeh as Air Provost Marshal.
Other key appointments include AVM Chidiebere Obiabaka as Air Secretary, AVM Anthony Martins as Chief of Administration, AVM Abubakar Sule as AOC, Logistics Command, AVM Abdulrasheed Kotun as Managing Director, NAF Farms, AVM Edward Gabkwet as Chief of Civil-Military Relations, and AVM Osichinaka Ubadike as Deputy Commandant, AFIT.
Additional senior officers affected in the redeployment include AVMs Ahmed Bakari, Albert Bot, Idi Sani, Muhammed Suleiman, Jibrin Usman, and Japheht Ekwuribe, who have been assigned to various defence and inter-service establishments nationwide.
According to the statement, the exercise aims to ensure balanced leadership, enhance institutional performance, and sustain the transformation momentum under Air Marshal Aneke’s leadership. “With this new wave of appointments, the Nigerian Air Force is poised to consolidate its achievements and usher in an era of smarter, more adaptive air operations,” the statement read. “It is a force built not merely for power, but for purpose, protection, and progress.”
The announcement comes barely a day after the Nigerian Army approved a major reshuffle involving 60 major generals and 11 brigadier generals across its formations and units, signalling a broader reorganisation acr
oss the Armed Forces.