The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced a major leadership restructuring involving the redeployment of 67 senior officers to strategic positions across its operational commands, military training institutions and national security establishments.
The sweeping shake-up, approved on November 7, 2026, by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, is aimed at strengthening operational effectiveness, improving command structures and enhancing the military’s capacity to respond to Nigeria’s security challenges.
The affected officers, all holding the rank of Air Vice Marshal (AVM), have been posted to various positions at the Air Force Headquarters, Defence Headquarters, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other strategic institutions.
According to the Nigerian Air Force’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the redeployment is designed to align officers’ professional competencies and experience with the service’s evolving operational and institutional priorities.
New Appointments at Air Force Headquarters
Under the new arrangement, Air Vice Marshal Adeniran Ademuwagun has been appointed Chief of Transformation and Innovation, while Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Ananaba becomes Chief of Operations.
Other appointments include Precious Amadi as Chief of Air Intelligence, Enebong Efiom as Chief of Training, Ahmed Bakari as Air Provost Marshal and John Laoye as Chief of Aircraft Engineering.
Mohammed Ibrahim was appointed Chairman of Air Expo and International Liaison, while Adebayo Kehinde becomes Chief of Civil-Military Relations.
MA Sulaiman was appointed Chief of Communications and Information Systems, while Simon Peters takes charge of the Project Implementation Team.
New Commanders for Operational Units
The restructuring also affects major operational commands responsible for combat operations, logistics and specialised military assignments.
Nnaemeka Ilo has been appointed Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Tactical Air Command, while Bashir Mamman takes over Mobility Command.
Olufemi Ogunsina becomes AOC, Logistics Command, while Michael Onyebashi has been appointed AOC, Special Operations Command.
FCS Nwakara was also appointed AOC, Ground Training Command.
In another significant appointment, Garba Jibia becomes Deputy Force Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the joint military operation fighting Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents in the North-East.
John Ukeh was appointed Commander of the Nigerian Air Defence Corps.
Defence Headquarters and Intelligence Restructuring
The redeployment extends to critical national security institutions, with several Air Vice Marshals assigned to strategic positions at the Defence Headquarters and intelligence agencies.
Usman Abdullahi has been appointed Director of Defence Operations, while Elijah Ebiowe moves to the Office of the National Security Adviser as Deputy Coordinator, National Intelligence.
Idi Sani becomes Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence, while David Pwajok has been appointed Director of Technical Services at the Defence Intelligence Agency.
Other appointments include ZA Usman as Director of Cyber Operations, Edward Gabkwet as Director of Civil-Military Relations, Ahmed Shinkafi as Director of Liaison and Alfred Shogbamu as Director of Military Strategy.
Rasaq Olanrewaju was appointed Director of Search and Rescue, while J Usman and John Ijudigal take charge of Special Duties and Sports, respectively.
The Defence Space Administration also received new leadership appointments, including Abubakar Suleh as Deputy Chief, OA Oyename as Director of Earth Observation and Solomon Lazarus as Director of Launch Vehicles and Space Operations.
Military Training Institutions Get New Leadership
Several military training and professional development institutions have equally been affected by the exercise.
PB Philips was appointed Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, while MC Ekwueme becomes Commandant of the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre.
AO Akinbunwa was named Commandant of the Air Force War College, while OC Ubadike takes over as Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Other appointments include AI Sambo as Commandant of the Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics and Management and M Yusuf as Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
The changes also cover other specialised training institutions and military establishments.
November 13 Deadline for Handover
The Nigerian Air Force has directed all affected officers to assume their new responsibilities and complete the necessary handover and takeover formalities on or before November 13, 2026.
The Chief of the Air Staff expressed confidence that the officers’ professional competence and wealth of experience would advance his command philosophy and strengthen the service’s capacity to deliver effective airpower in support of joint military operations.
The restructuring comes as Nigeria continues to battle insurgency, terrorism, banditry and other security threats across different parts of the country.
Although the Air Force has described the exercise as a strategic leadership realignment, its effectiveness will ultimately depend on how the new commanders translate their appointments into improved operational coordination, intelligence gathering, air support and military effectiveness.
The redeployment represents one of the Nigerian Air Force’s significant senior leadership restructuring exercises in 2026, with its impact expected to be closely watched as military operations continue across the country.
