Major shake-up in air force as CAS redeploys 25 senior officers

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has redeployed 25 senior officers to various key command and staff positions in a new shake-up aimed at improving operational effectiveness and aligning the service’s structure with the leadership goals of the new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the exercise involves 19 newly appointed officers and six others posted to different defence and inter-service establishments.

Ejodame said the restructuring was designed to enhance decision-making, strengthen coordination across commands, and boost readiness in tackling prevailing security challenges.

Under the new arrangement, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdullahi is now Chief of Policy and Plans, while AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun takes over as Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna. AVM Ibitayo Ajiboye becomes Group Managing Director of the Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited Group of Companies.

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AVM Precious Amadi assumes the role of Chief of Operations, and AVM Nnamdi Ananaba is now Chief of Air Intelligence. AVM Ebimobo Ebiowe takes charge as Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation, while AVM Ahmed Dari becomes Chief of Training. The Transformation and Innovation Branch will now be headed by AVM Mohammed Ibrahim.

“In the logistics and engineering domains, AVM Olufemi Ogunsina has been appointed Chief of Aircraft Engineering, and AVM Michael Onyebashi assumes command as Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command. AVM David Pwajok is now Chief of Communication and Information Systems, while AVM John Ukeh takes charge as Air Provost Marshal.

“Further reinforcing NAF’s administrative and welfare structures, AVM Simon Peter has been appointed Managing Director, NAFIL Housing and Construction Company, while AVM Chidiebere Obiabaka becomes Air Secretary. AVM Anthony Martins now serves as Chief of Administration, AVM Abubakar Sule takes over as AOC, Logistics Command, and AVM Abdulrasheed Kotun has been appointed Managing Director, NAF Farms. The new Chief of Civil-Military Relations is AVM Edward Gabkwet, while AVM Osichinaka Ubadike has been named Deputy Commandant, AFIT,” the statement added.

It further noted that other senior officers — including AVMs Ahmed Bakari, Albert Bot, Idi Sani, Muhammed Suleiman, Jibrin Usman and Japheht Ekwuribe — were posted to different defence and inter-service establishments to support joint operations.

Air Marshal Aneke took office on Thursday, with the redeployment exercise following a day later. His move comes shortly after the Nigerian Army also announced a sweeping reorganisation of its senior command.