Nigerian Air Force Approves Strategic Leadership Realignment to Drive Operational Effectiveness

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has approved a major strategic realignment of its senior leadership through a fresh round of postings and appointments designed to strengthen command effectiveness, enhance institutional capacity and sustain operational readiness in support of national security objectives. The exercise, approved by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, on 7 November 2026, takes effect from November 2026.
Eereporter.com

The appointments span Service Headquarters, operational commands, Defence Headquarters, training institutions and other strategic establishments, reflecting a deliberate effort to align leadership competencies and professional experience with the Service’s evolving operational and institutional priorities. At Headquarters NAF, AVM AK Ademuwagun has been appointed Chief of Transformation and Innovation; AVM IV Ajiboye as Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation; AVM PN Amadi as Chief of Air Intelligence; AVM NN Ananaba as Chief of Operations; AVM AH Bakari as Air Provost Marshal; AVM EE Efiom as Chief of Training; AVM MS Ibrahim as Chairman, Air Expo and International Liaison; AVM AG Kehinde as Chief of Civil-Military Relations; AVM MA Sulaiman as Chief of Communications and Information Systems; AVM S Peters as Coordinator, Project Implementation Team; and AVM AJ Laoye as Chief of Aircraft Engineering. Other strategic institutional appointments include AVM AY Dari as General Manager, Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited Group of Companies, and AVM NS Okoro as Director-General, AFRDI.

At the operational command level, AVM NI Ilo has been appointed Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Tactical Air Command, while AVM BR Mamman assumes command of Mobility Command. AVM OS Ogunsina becomes AOC, Logistics Command; AVM MN Onyebashi is appointed AOC, Special Operations Command; and AVM FCS Nwakara takes over as AOC, Ground Training Command.

In major institutional appointments, AVM PB Philips has been appointed Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), while AVM MC Ekwueme becomes Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (AFRC). Other appointments in this category include AVM AO Akinbunwa as Commandant, Air Force War College; AVM A Idris as Commandant, Air Warfare Doctrine Centre; AVM JA Ekwuribe as Commandant, Regiment Training Centre; AVM OC Ubadike as Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology; AVM AI Sambo as Commandant, Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics and Management; and AVM M Yusuf as Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy.

At the strategic defence level, AVM UK Abdullahi has been appointed Director of Defence Operations at Defence Headquarters (DHQ), while AVM EOE Ebiowe moves to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as Deputy Coordinator, National Intelligence. Other appointments include AVM DDG Pwajok as Director of Technical Services, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA); AVM I Sani as Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence; AVM AA Shinkafi as Director of Liaison, DHQ; AVM AO Shogbamu as Director of Military Strategy; AVM RK Olanrewaju as Director of Search and Rescue; AVM J Usman as Director of Special Duties; AVM JJ Ijudigal as Director of Sports; AVM ZA Usman as Director of Cyber Operations; AVM EK Gabkwet as Director of Civil-Military Relations; and AVM GAA Bello as Director of Joint Warfare Doctrine, all at DHQ. Additionally, AVM AA Suleh has been appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Space Administration (DSA), while AVM OA Oyename becomes Director of Earth Observation and AVM SS Lazarus takes up appointment as Director of Launch Vehicles and Space Operations, both at DSA. AVM OT Salami has been posted to the Defence Space Command Centre (DSCC) as Deputy Chief, while AVM AI Hanidu moves to the Air Power Centre of Excellence (APCOE) as Director of Integrated Air Power Studies. Other appointments at APCOE include AVM OF Akinboyewa as Deputy Director-General and AVM MM Omar as Director, Museum/Hall of Fame. AVM DO Dickson has also been appointed General Manager, Operations, Defence Health Care Limited (DHCL).

Other appointments at Headquarters NAF include AVM AK Famuyiwa as Director of Coordination and Cooperation; AVM AK Bello as Director of Armament; AVM YA Katabiya as Director of Logistics; AVM EO Ashiegbu as Director of Policy; AVM GA Mbaka as Director of Aircraft Engineering; AVM AL Dakwat as Director of Research and Development; AVM SO Eyekosi as Director of Plans; and AVM AG Akinyimika as Director of Personnel Management.

To further strengthen operational command structures, AVM JI Ukeh has been appointed Commander, Nigerian Air Defence Corps (NADC). Other appointments include AVM OA Abu as Chief of Staff, Mobility Command; AVM I Subi as Chief of Staff, Special Operations Command; AVM NB Folaji as Chief of Staff, Tactical Air Command; AVM F Ekpah as Chief of Staff, Ground Training Command; AVM ES Odekina as Chief of Staff Logistics Command and AVM M Umar as Chief of Staff, Air Training Command. AVM GI Jibia has also been appointed Deputy Force Commander, Operation HADIN KAI. In other appointments, AVM CE Akubue has been appointed Managing Director, Aircraft Engineering and Technical Services Limited (AETSL), while AVM CE Akpa becomes Commander, Headquarters NAF Camp.

NAF

Other professional military education and training appointments include AVM SA Eyoma as Deputy Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology; AVM FO Ankeli as Commandant, Air Traffic Services Training Centre; and AVM U Ariahu as Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics and Management.

The strategic realignment reflects the NAF’s commitment to continuous leadership renewal, stronger institutional accountability and enhanced operational effectiveness. The CAS expressed confidence that the professional competence and wealth of experience of the newly appointed officers would further advance his Command Philosophy and strengthen the Service’s capacity to deliver decisive airpower effects in support of joint operations and national security objectives. All affected officers are to assume their new appointments and complete the necessary handover and takeover formalities not later than 13 November 2026.

Ehimen Ejodame
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information,
Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.

8 November 2026
Eereporter.com

NPF to Host CCAN Conference as Media, Security Stakeholders Tackle 2027 Election Threats

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, will serve as Chief Host of the 2026 Annual Conference and Awards of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN), bringing the nation’s security leadership to the forefront of critical conversations on safeguarding the 2027 general elections.
Eereporter.com

The conference, scheduled for Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in Abuja, comes at a crucial time as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the forthcoming elections amid growing concerns over fake news, information manipulation, electoral violence, and other security threats capable of undermining democratic stability.

With the theme, “Navigating Security Challenges in the 2027 Election: The Role of the Media in Combating Fake News,” the conference will bring together security chiefs, media executives, journalists, policymakers, and other stakeholders to examine emerging threats and strengthen collaboration toward peaceful, credible elections.

The decision of IGP Disu to serve as Chief Host underscores the importance of sustained engagement between security institutions and the media in addressing misinformation, promoting public confidence, and strengthening national security.

The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, will deliver the keynote address, drawing attention to the media’s responsibility in promoting information integrity, responsible journalism, and democratic stability.

Speaking ahead of the conference, CCAN National Chairman, Festus Fifen, described the gathering as a timely intervention in Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 elections, stressing that the battle against insecurity must also be fought in the information space.

Fifen said, “As we approach the 2027 general elections, the responsibility of securing Nigeria cannot be left to security agencies alone. The media has a critical role to play in ensuring that accurate information prevails over fake news, misinformation and narratives capable of triggering tension and threatening national peace.”

He added that the conference would provide an important platform for security agencies and media professionals to exchange ideas, strengthen professional relationships and develop practical approaches to combating information-related threats before, during and after the elections.

The conference will feature an awards presentation recognising individuals and institutions whose contributions have advanced national security, public service and professional excellence.

CCAN is therefore calling on journalists, security agencies, government officials, civil society organisations, policymakers and members of the public to participate in the conference and contribute to the national conversation on securing Nigeria’s electoral future.

CCAN, Police

The 2026 CCAN Annual Conference and Awards will be held at the Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja, on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

As Nigeria approaches another defining electoral cycle, the message is clear: securing the ballot also means securing the information space. The fight against fake news is a collective responsibility, and the time to act is now.

Signed:

Peter Ireh
General Secretary
Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN)
Eereporter.com

Customs Process 9,195 PAARs, 99,839 SGDs in Two Months, Highlights Anti-Money Laundering Efforts at ONSA Security Briefing

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) processed 9,195 Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports (PAARs) and 99,839 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) between September and October 2026, reflecting sustained efforts to facilitate legitimate trade, improve cargo clearance processes and enhance revenue generation. The figures were disclosed during a joint security press briefing at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on Thursday, 5 November 2026.
Eereporter.com

Speaking at the briefing, the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, said the performance reflected the Service’s continued commitment to improving trade processes through efficient documentation, digital interventions, and stronger collaboration with stakeholders across the trade value chain.

A breakdown of the figures showed that the Service processed 2,102 PAARs in September and 7,093 in October, bringing the total to 9,195 within the two months. Similarly, 48,832 SGDs were processed in September, while 51,007 were recorded in October, giving a combined total of 99,839 declarations. Revenue collection stood at ₦697,839,888,131.52 in September and ₦722,911,741,128.92 in October, amounting to ₦1,420,751,629,260.44 for the period under review.

The Service also recorded progress in export trade facilitation. At the Lilypond Export Command, export activities in the third quarter of 2026 generated a total export value of $752.85 million, compared with $586.15 million in the corresponding period of 2025. This represents an increase of approximately 22.14 per cent, reflecting the export sector’s growing contribution and the impact of measures aimed at facilitating non-oil exports.

Beyond trade facilitation, the NCS sustained its enforcement responsibilities, recording seizures of prohibited and restricted items during the review period, with a combined Duty Paid Value exceeding ₦8.1 billion. The interceptions covered various categories, including illicit drugs, pharmaceutical products, prohibited goods and petroleum products. The Service maintained collaboration with relevant regulatory and security agencies to ensure the appropriate handling and disposition of seized items.

On its anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) responsibilities, the Service highlighted the ongoing World Customs Organisation (WCO) Mentoring Mission, inaugurated on 19 October 2026. The four-week engagement, scheduled to run from 18 October to 13 November 2026, is designed to strengthen the capacity of the NCS to identify, investigate and address trade-based money laundering and other illicit financial activities associated with cross-border trade.

Customs

As part of the mission, the Service held engagements with six relevant agencies between 27 and 29 October 2026, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). The Service also highlighted its transition to an electronic currency declaration platform as part of efforts to improve transparency, strengthen monitoring, and enhance the detection of illicit financial flows across the nation’s borders.

The briefing also highlighted the Service’s contribution to environmental and wildlife protection. During the period under review, six live pangolins were rescued in separate operations in Ogun State: three by the Ogun I Area Command and three by the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A. The animals were subsequently handed over to the Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative for appropriate care and rehabilitation, in line with the country’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Eereporter.com