By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The appointment of AVM Sunday Aneke as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) marks a new chapter in the history of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

This appointment, as announced by President Bola Tinubu on Friday, is defined by intellectual depth, operational precision and renewed commitment to national security.

According to his citation released by the NAF on Friday, the new CAS was born on Feb. 20, 1972, in Makurdi, Benue, and hails from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

He began his education at Army Children School, New Cantonment ‘A’, Kaduna (1976–1982) and later attended Government College, Kaduna (1982–1987). His early training laid the foundation for a disciplined and purpose-driven life that would later define his military career.

Aneke was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 40th Regular Combatant Course and was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on Sept. 10, 1993.

An accomplished scholar, the new Air Chief holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the University of Calabar, and two Master’s degrees — one in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and another in Political Economy and Development Studies from the University of Abuja.

He also holds a professional certificate in Aviation Safety Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, USA, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Aneke attended several military courses, including the Junior and Senior Staff Courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and the United States Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, where he obtained a Master’s in Strategic Studies.

His wide-ranging appointments include Director of Policy, Director of Safety, Deputy Director of Operations at NAF Headquarters, Command Operations Officer at Tactical Air Command, and Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Until his appointment as CAS, he served as Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Yenagoa, where he strengthened air mobility operations, enhanced joint force integration, and improved NAF’s strategic responsiveness in multi-domain operations.

An accomplished pilot with over 4,359 flying hours, 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.

His operational experience includes participation in Operation Restore Hope in the Niger Delta and United Nations peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), where he served as Chief of Air Operations in the Kindu Region.

He has contributed significantly to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations that have improved the Nigerian Air Force’s counter-insurgency capabilities across multiple fronts.

Aneke is decorated with numerous medals and honours including GSS, DSS, GSM, FCM, Psc, MSc, MIAD, MPEDS and USAFWC. He is widely regarded as a refined officer and visionary leader known for his calm disposition, intellectual depth and strategic foresight.

As he assumes command as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff, AVM Aneke is expected to bring his vast operational experience and academic grounding to bear in enhancing airpower projection, strengthening intelligence-led operations and driving innovation in defence technology and capacity development.

Aneke is married to Mrs Ngozi Enderline Aneke and they are blessed with three sons — Chukwuebuka Kelvin, Ifeanyichukwu Brian and Uchechukwu Jason.

He is known for his humility, professionalism and devotion to service, qualities that align with the Nigerian Air Force’s core values of discipline, courage and excellence. (NAN)