The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has approved the promotion of 57 senior officers to the ranks of Air Vice Marshal and Air Commodore, a major step toward strengthening the Service’s strategic and operational leadership amid rising national security threats. The promotions, announced today, 27 November 2025, reflect the Air Council’s deliberate effort to deepen command capability, enhance expertise, and build a more agile force equipped to address complex security challenges nationwide.
A total of 27 Air Commodores were elevated to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, including 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.
Similarly, 30 Group Captains were promoted to Air Commodore. They include 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.
Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, described the promotion cycle as a strategic measure to reinforce the upper command structure of the Service and nurture leaders capable of delivering clear-sighted, operationally decisive command across diverse theatres.
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, congratulated the newly promoted officers, describing their elevation as a recognition of professional excellence, resilience, loyalty, and sustained contributions to national defence. He emphasized that the promotions come at a time when Nigeria faces one of its most complex security landscapes, defined by terrorism, banditry, cross-border crime, and emerging asymmetric threats.
“This elevation is not just recognition, it is responsibility,” the CAS stated. “Nigeria needs leaders who think clearly under pressure, act with precision, and inspire their teams as a unified force. The nation is counting on you, and you must not fail.”
He urged the beneficiaries to demonstrate integrity, humility, and operational sharpness while strengthening inter-service cooperation, enhancing intelligence-driven operations, and mentoring junior personnel to sustain professionalism and discipline.
Air Marshal Aneke reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to ongoing strategic reforms aimed at developing a smarter, technology-driven and combat-ready Air Force capable of delivering decisive airpower whenever required.
The Nigerian Air Force congratulated all the newly promoted senior officers and expressed confidence that they will justify the trust placed in them through exemplary leadership, innovation, and patriotism.
