By George Ozalla
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke as the new Chief of the Air Staff, following a major shake-up in the nation’s military hierarchy. AVM Aneke, who is expected to be promoted to the rank of Air Marshal in the coming days, succeeds Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar and is set to bring a wealth of experience, academic depth, and operational exposure to the Nigerian Air Force’s top command.
Born on February 20, 1972, in Makurdi, Benue State, to the family of Air Warrant Officer Sylvester and Mrs. Ngozi Aneke, the new Air Chief hails from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. His early education began at the Army Children School, New Cantonment “A” NDA, Kaduna, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1982. He proceeded to Government College Kaduna, earning his West African School Certificate in 1987.
AVM Aneke was enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy on September 10, 1988, as a member of the 40th Regular Course and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on September 10, 1993. Over the years, he has distinguished himself as a versatile officer with strong academic and professional credentials. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the University of Calabar, a Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a Master’s in Political Economy and Development Studies from the University of Abuja, and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the Air War College, United States Air Force University, Montgomery, Alabama.
Throughout his career, Aneke has attended several professional and command courses, including Aeromechanical Engineering at the Officers Engineering School, Technical Training Group (now Air Force Institute of Technology), and both the Junior and Senior Staff Courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji. His international training at the U.S. Air War College further broadened his strategic and operational understanding of global airpower management.
His extensive service record spans critical command, operational, and administrative positions within the Nigerian Air Force. He has served as Commanding Officer, Base Services Wing, Air Maritime Group, Benin; Group Logistics Officer, 301 Flying Training School, Kaduna; Fleet Training Officer and Wing Chief of Operations at the Presidential Air Fleet, Abuja; Commander, 307 Executive Airlift Group, Abuja; Director of Safety and later Director of Policy at NAF Headquarters, Abuja; and Command Operations Officer at Tactical Air Command, Makurdi. Until his new appointment, he was the Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Africa’s foremost military university.
An accomplished pilot, AVM Aneke is type-rated on several aircraft including the Air Beetle 18, Dornier 228, Citation 500, Falcon 900, Gulfstream V, Gulfstream 550, and Hawker 4000, with an Advanced Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) and over 4,359 flying hours. His medals and awards include the Grand Service Star (GSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), General Service Medal (GSM), Forces Command Medal (FCM), and the United States Air Force War College insignia, among others.
A devoted family man, he is married to Mrs. Ngozi Enderline Aneke, and the union is blessed with three sons — Chukwuebuka Kelvin, Ifeanyichukwu Brian, and Uchechukwu Jason Aneke. He enjoys flying, music, and movies.
With his appointment, AVM Aneke joins the new team of service chiefs under the Tinubu administration, a move seen as part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s armed forces for greater efficiency, discipline, and professionalism. His leadership is expected to drive the Air Force’s modernization agenda, enhance operational readiness, and sustain the ongoing counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts across the country.
The Nigerian Air Force, established in 1964, remains a vital arm of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, responsible for securing the nation’s airspace, providing air support to ground operations, and contributing to national security through air mobility and reconnaissance missions.
