ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Nigeria’s new Chief of Air Staff, part of a sweeping reorganization of the Armed Forces aimed at reinforcing national security.
Born on February 20, 1972, in Makurdi, Benue State, Aneke hails from Udi Local Government Area in Enugu State. He began his education at Army Children School, New Cantonment ‘A’, Kaduna, and later attended Government College, Kaduna. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1988 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force in 1993.
Aneke is widely regarded as a scholar-soldier. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, and multiple master’s degrees in International Affairs, Political Economy, and Strategic Studies—including one from the U.S. Air War College in Alabama.
Throughout his career, he has held key command and staff positions, including Director of Safety and Deputy Director of Operations at Air Force Headquarters, and Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command in Yenagoa. He also served with the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), gaining international peacekeeping experience.
Aneke is a seasoned pilot with over 4,300 flying hours on various aircraft, including the Falcon-900, Gulfstream V/550, and Hawker-4000.
His appointment has drawn praise from military analysts and the public alike. Many have highlighted his deep operational experience and academic credentials as assets in modernizing the Air Force.
“He brings a rare blend of intellect and field expertise,” said a senior retired Air Force officer. “This is the kind of leadership the Nigerian Air Force needs in an era of asymmetric threats.”
Online reactions have also been largely positive, with citizens expressing hope that Aneke’s leadership will improve air surveillance, logistics, and inter-agency coordination in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
Aneke succeeds Air Vice Marshal H.B. Abubakar and is expected to assume office immediately. He is married to Ngozi Enderline Aneke, and they have three sons: Chukwuebuka, Ifeanyichukwu, and Uchechukwu.
