BREAKING: NAF redeploys 27 Air Vice Marshals in major command reshuffle

NAF redeploys 27 Air Vice Marshals in major command reshuffle

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the redeployment of 27 senior officers in the rank of Air Vice Marshal (AVM), marking the first major structural reform under the leadership of Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS).

The reshuffle, which took immediate effect following approval by the CAS, is aimed at aligning NAF’s command structure with ongoing defence reforms, evolving national security demands, and streamlining operational control across strategic formations, units, and training institutions.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, the redeployment reflects the CAS’s commitment to enhancing decision-making speed, boosting mission readiness, and reinforcing accountability across all command levels.

Key Appointments

Under the new posting arrangement:

• AVM Abubakar Abdullahi becomes Chief of Policy and Plans at Air Force Headquarters.
• AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun assumes duty as Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna.
• AVM Ibitayo Ajiboye is appointed Group Managing Director, Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited (NAFIL).
• AVM Precious Amadi now heads Operations, while AVM Nnamdi Ananaba becomes Chief of Air Intelligence.
• AVM Ebimobo Ebiowe is assigned Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation, and AVM Ahmed Dari takes over as Chief of Training.
• AVM Mohammed Ibrahim leads the Transformation and Innovation Branch, reflecting NAF’s growing focus on technological adaptation and digital readiness.
• AVM Olufemi Ogunsina becomes Chief of Aircraft Engineering, while AVM Michael Onyebashi assumes command as Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command.
• AVM David Pwajok is now Chief of Communication and Information Systems, and AVM John Ukeh serves as Air Provost Marshal, overseeing internal security enforcement.

READ ALSO:

• 650 NNPP members defect to APC in Kano
• 5% fuel tax won’t start until naira gains — Oyedele
• Hurricane Melissa death toll rises as aid struggles to reach parts of Jamaica

Administrative and Welfare Restructuring

• AVM Simon Peter is appointed Managing Director, NAFIL Housing and Construction Company.
• AVM Chidiebere Obiabaka becomes Air Secretary at headquarters.
• AVM Anthony Martins takes over as Chief of Administration, while AVM Abubakar Sule assumes duty as Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command.
• AVM Abdulrasheed Kotun now heads NAF Farms as Managing Director.
• AVM Edward Gabkwet is appointed Chief of Civil-Military Relations, and AVM Osichinaka Ubadike becomes Deputy Commandant, AFIT, Kaduna.

Several other senior officers — including AVMs Ahmed Bakari, Albert Bot, Idi Sani, Muhammed Suleiman, Jibrin Usman, and Japheht Ekwuribe — have been posted to various defence and joint service institutions to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and national defence coordination.

Air Marshal Aneke described the redeployment as a strategic move to ensure balanced leadership distribution, institutional stability, and to sustain the reform momentum under his administration.

“NAF will consolidate operational experience, promote cross-command synergy, and build a more agile, intelligence-driven defence structure capable of responding to Nigeria’s dynamic security environment,” he said.

The development comes less than 24 hours after the Nigerian Army announced the redeployment of 27 senior officers, including 25 Major Generals and two Brigadier Generals, in a similar shake-up.

NAF redeploys 27 Air Vice Marshals in major command reshuffle