The Nigerian Air Force has announced a major reshuffle of its senior officers, with new appointments across its operational commands, training institutions and strategic establishments.
The exercise, approved by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on November 7, 2026, is aimed at improving operational efficiency, strengthening leadership and enhancing the service’s capacity to address national security challenges.
The Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the new postings would take effect in November.
According to the statement, the appointments cover the Service Headquarters, operational commands, Defence Headquarters and other key military institutions.
It partly read, “The NAF has approved a major strategic realignment of its senior leadership through a fresh round of postings and appointments designed to strengthen command effectiveness, enhance institutional capacity and sustain operational readiness in support of national security objectives.”
At the NAF Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal AK Ademuwagun was appointed Chief of Transformation and Innovation, while AVM IV Ajiboye emerged as 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 AJ Laoye as Chief of Aircraft Engineering.
For the operational commands, AVM NI Ilo was appointed Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, while AVM BR Mamman will head the Mobility Command.
Similarly, AVM OS Ogunsina was named Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command; AVM MN Onyebashi, Special Operations Command; and AVM FCS Nwakara, Ground Training Command.
In the area of military training and professional development, AVM PB Philips was appointed Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, while AVM MC Ekwueme will lead the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre.
AVM AO Akinbunwa was named Commandant of the Air Force War College, while AVM OC Ubadike was appointed Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Other appointments include AVM AI Sambo as Commandant of the Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics and Management and AVM M Yusuf as Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
At the Defence Headquarters, AVM UK Abdullahi was appointed Director of Defence Operations, while AVM EOE Ebiowe was posted to the Office of the National Security Adviser as Deputy Coordinator, National Intelligence.
Also, AVM DDG Pwajok was appointed Director of Technical Services at the Defence Intelligence Agency, while AVM I Sani became Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The reshuffle also affected the Defence Space Administration, where AVM AA Suleh was appointed Deputy Chief.
AVM OA Oyename and AVM SS Lazarus were respectively appointed Directors of Earth Observation and Launch Vehicles, and Space Operations.
In other operational appointments, AVM GI Jibia was named Deputy Force Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, while AVM JI Ukeh was appointed Commander of the Nigerian Air Defence Corps.
The Air Force said the exercise was part of efforts to promote leadership renewal, institutional accountability and improved operational performance.
The Chief of the Air Staff expressed confidence in the capacity of the newly appointed officers to deliver on the service’s mandate.
According to him, their professional competence and wealth of experience would strengthen his command philosophy and improve the Air Force’s contribution to joint military operations and national security.
“All affected officers are expected to assume their new appointments and complete the necessary handover and takeover formalities on or before November 13, 2026,” the statement added.
