The Air Council has approved the promotion of 57 senior officers of the Nigerian Air Force to the ranks of air vice marshal and air commodore.

The promotion aims to strengthen the service’s leadership capacity in response to evolving security demands, according to a statement by NAF on Thursday.

It said 27 senior officers were elevated to the rank of air vice marshal, while 30 were promoted to air commodore.

The council said that the promotion exercise reflected the commitment of the service to strengthening high-level command responsibility, deepening operational expertise and building a more agile and technologically-driven force.

The statement listed the newly promoted air vice Marshals, 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, and FO Ankeli.

Also on the list are 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.

Those promoted to air commodore 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, and IO Akpasa.

They also include 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.

The chief of the air staff, Sunday Aneke, said the promotion of the officers was a recognition of professional excellence, operational competence and loyalty to the service.

Mr Aneke said the officers were elevated amid one of Nigeria’s most complex security environments, requiring clarity, precision and innovative thinking from military leaders.

“This elevation is not just recognition, it is responsibility. The nation needs 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 said.

The air chief urged the officers to serve with integrity and discipline, and to strengthen joint operations, intelligence exploitation and the mentoring of junior personnel.

He reaffirmed NAF’s commitment to ongoing reforms aimed at building a smarter and more decisive air force capable of delivering effective airpower across all theatres of operation. 

(NAN)