Dare Babalola
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the promotion of 57 senior officers to the ranks of Air Vice Marshal and Air Commodore, a strategic move aimed at bolstering the Service’s leadership capabilities amid escalating national security challenges.
The elevation list, released Thursday in a statement by NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, underscores the force’s commitment to cultivating a robust, agile, and strategically decisive force capable of countering evolving threats across the nation’s airspace and broader operational theatres.
The promotions, Ejodame explained, are a component of the Air Force’s persistent efforts to elevate command expertise, enhance operational effectiveness, and reinforce the Service’s intellectual resilience.
The twenty-seven senior officers elevated to the prestigious rank of Air Vice Marshal include: Air Commodores SA Eyoma, GI Jibia, AA Adebomehin, ES Odekina, CE Akubue, SO Eyekosi, AO Akinbuwa, LI Kamat, AG Akinyimika, AO Bamidele, AK Famuyiwa, PJ Edem, SA Madaki, OT Salami, FO Ankeli, MJ Chidama, JJ Ijudigal, M Umar, IJ Ogbodo, U Ariahu, AL Dakwat, CE Akpa, EC Ukpong, IS Subi, IM Yusha’u, SS Lazarus and F Ekpah.
Additionally, 30 senior officers elevated to the rank of Air Commodore. They include Group Captains MA Imam, AA Komolafe, HI Eze, DU Edet, MB Umar, GH Okoh, SP Sekegor, PP Okonkwo, PU Okweugo, AU Yahaya, M Yahaya, IR Ubeh, OK Cole, EA Ifebi, RK Olundu, IO Akpasa, AK Mohammed, HA Meshack, SN Nwachi, ZB Shuwa, EJ Alabila, SA Osoniyi, AO Ogunmola, AJ Arumona, BI Jayeoba, CE Akuh, NN Onuoha-Mba, PA Garba, YM Abdullahi and M Suleiman.
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, emphasized that these promotions reflect the officers’ exceptional merit, professional competence, operational experience, and alignment with the NAF’s strategic goals.
“This elevation is not just recognition, it is responsibility,” he stated, urging the newly promoted leaders to drive operational precision, foster synergy with other security agencies, mentor junior officers, and uphold stringent discipline.
Air Marshal Aneke highlighted the daunting security landscape confronting Nigeria, marked by terrorism, banditry, cross-border crimes, and emerging asymmetric threats, stressing the need for military leaders who think clearly under pressure, act decisively, and inspire their teams.
“The nation is navigating a complex security environment. We need leaders who think clearly under pressure, act with precision, and inspire the men and women behind them as a unified force. Nigeria is counting on you, and you must not fail,” he warned.
The Chief of Air Staff further urged the promoted officers to serve with integrity, humility, and operational sharpness, reinforcing the importance of strengthening collaboration with sister services, enhancing intelligence exploitation, mentoring junior personnel, and maintaining the highest standards of discipline in all air operations.
The promotions are part of the Nigerian Air Force’s ongoing strategic reforms aimed at building a smarter, technologically driven Air Force capable of delivering decisive airpower whenever the nation requires it. The Service congratulated all newly promoted senior officers and expressed full confidence that they will justify the trust placed upon them through excellence in command, innovation in leadership, and unwavering patriotism.
The Nigerian Air Force statement reaffirmed its commitment to these reforms, underscoring the imperative of robust leadership to safeguard national security in a challenging operational environment.
