NAF Reshuffles Leadership, Names New Commanders for Five Commands
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced a major leadership reshuffle, appointing new Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) to five of its commands.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, approved the appointments and postings on November 7, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness and reposition the service for its strategic responsibilities.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the NAF said Air Vice Marshal NI Ilo had been appointed AOC Tactical Air Command, while AVM BR Mamman would head Mobility Command.
The statement added that AVM OS Ogunsina had been posted as AOC Logistics Command, AVM MN Onyebashi as AOC Special Operations Command, and AVM FCS Nwakara as AOC Ground Training Command.
The reshuffle also affects the leadership of several NAF training institutions. According to the statement, AVM PB Philips had been appointed Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, while AVM MC Ekwueme would head the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre.
Other appointments include AVM AO Akinbunwa as Commandant of the Air Force War College, AVM A Idris as Commandant of the Air Warfare Doctrine Centre, and AVM JA Ekwuribe as Commandant of the Regiment Training Centre.
The NAF also announced the appointment of AVM OC Ubadike as Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology, AVM AI Sambo as Commandant of the NAF College of Logistics and Management, and AVM M Yusuf as Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Beyond the service’s operational and training structures, the statement said other senior officers had been posted to strategic positions across the Armed Forces and national security institutions.
Among them, AVM UK Abdullahi was appointed Director of Defence Operations at Defence Headquarters, while AVM EOE Ebiowe was named Deputy Coordinator of National Intelligence at the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Other officers were also posted to the Defence Intelligence Agency, Defence Space Administration, Defence Space Command and various headquarters and formations.
The NAF said the appointments and postings would take effect in November, with affected officers expected to complete their handovers by November 13, 2026.
By TimesNG