The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the appointment of Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff (CAS).
AVM Aneke, a distinguished senior officer of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), succeeds Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar in the nation’s top airpower command role. The transition reflects the administration’s ongoing commitment to strengthening defence leadership and enhancing joint-service capability in line with contemporary security demands.
Profile of the New Air Chief
Born on 20 February 1972 in Makurdi, Benue State, AVM Aneke is originally from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1988 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1993, marking the beginning of a highly decorated career in air operations, training, and strategic command.
He holds a rich academic profile including:
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B.Sc. in Physics
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Master’s in International Affairs & Diplomacy – ABU Zaria
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Master’s in Political Economy & Developmental Studies – University of Abuja
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Master’s in Strategic Studies – Air War College, USA
AVM Aneke has held key command, instructional, and staff positions across the Air Force and brings global exposure, multi-domain operational expertise, and a strong research background to the role.
Strategic & National Significance
Beyond military excellence, the appointment has drawn attention for its positive impact on national inclusion. With AVM Aneke hailing from the South-East, analysts note this decision as part of a broader effort to build trust, unity, and fair representation in national security leadership particularly in a region that has historically been vocal about marginalization in federal appointments.
Defence experts also highlight that the selection reinforces a merit-first approach and supports the President’s intent to balance national cohesion with professional standards within the Armed Forces.
Mission Ahead
As CAS, AVM Aneke is expected to prioritise:
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Enhanced airpower support for joint operations
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Continued modernization of NAF fleet and ISR assets
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Greater investment in personnel training & technology
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Strengthened air-defence readiness, counter-terrorism & joint cyber-intelligence capabilities
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International defence partnerships and aviation safety standards
His wealth of command experience and strategic education positions him to lead the Nigerian Air Force through an evolving global and domestic security environment.
