The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has approved the redeployment of numerous senior officers to important command and staff roles as part of measures to boost operational efficiency and align its structure with the leadership vision of the incoming Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.
Nineteen officers obtained new appointments, while six others were assigned to various defense and inter-service enterprises.
Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, stated on Friday that the reform sought to improve decision-making, better coordination between units and commands, and reinforce readiness in response to contemporary security threats.
Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdullahi is promoted to Chief of Policy and Plans, while AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun is appointed Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology in Kaduna. AVM Ibitayo Ajiboye was named Group Managing Director of the Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited Group of Companies.
AVM Precious Amadi has taken over as Chief of Operations, while AVM Nnamdi Ananaba has been appointed Chief of Air Intelligence. AVM Ebimobo Ebiowe will be the Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation, with AVM Ahmed Dari serving as Chief of Training. The Transformation and Innovation Branch will be led 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.
According to the announcement, additional senior officers, like AVMs Ahmed Bakari, Albert Bot, Idi Sani, Muhammed Suleiman, Jibrin Usman, and Japheht Ekwuribe, have been sent to various defense and inter-service installations to improve joint operations.
The Chief of the Air Staff took office on Thursday, and the redeployment exercise occurred the next day.
His decision to rearrange senior officers comes just one day after his counterpart in the Nigerian Army announced a substantial restructuring of top commanders.
