Air Force shakes up top leadership, redeploys senior officers

The shake-up, approved on November 7 by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, affects Service Headquarters, operational commands, military institutions and Defence Headquarters.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, announced the changes in a statement on Sunday.

Among the major appointments, Air Vice Marshal NI Ilo becomes Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, while AVM BR Mamman takes charge of Mobility Command. AVM OS Ogunsina was appointed AOC, Logistics Command, while AVM MN Onyebashi and AVM FCS Nwakara will head Special Operations Command and Ground Training Command, respectively.

At the Air Force Headquarters, AVM PN Amadi becomes Chief of Air Intelligence, AVM NN Ananaba Chief of Operations, AVM EE Efiom Chief of Training and AVM AJ Laoye Chief of Aircraft Engineering.

The reshuffle also affects military training institutions, with new commandants appointed for the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Air Force War College, Air Force Institute of Technology and other establishments.

At Defence Headquarters, AVM UK Abdullahi becomes Director of Defence Operations, while AVM I Sani takes over as Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Other appointments include AVM GI Jibia as Deputy Force Commander of Operation Hadin Kai and AVM JI Ukeh as Commander of the Nigerian Air Defence Corps.

The Defence Space Administration also received new appointments, including AVM AA Suleh as Deputy Chief.

According to the Air Force, the exercise is intended to promote leadership renewal, strengthen institutional accountability and improve operational effectiveness.

It added that all affected officers are expected to assume their new positions and complete handover procedures by November 13, 2026.