The newly confirmed Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has pledged to build a versatile, disciplined, and technologically advanced Nigerian Air Force (NAF) capable of keeping insurgents “running without time to plan or strike.”
Speaking during his confirmation by the National Assembly on October 29, 2025, AVM Aneke said his vision for the Air Force would focus on training, technology, safety, and strategic innovation, adding that true military strength lies in “superior intellect and adaptability” rather than brute force.
“We will keep the insurgents running. A man running from you has no time to plan to hurt you,” he said. “By being proactive, precise, and professional, the Nigerian Air Force will deny the enemy the space and time to regroup or attack.”
Aneke’s confirmation followed his nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in line with Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, which mandates National Assembly approval for service chief appointments. With this confirmation, he officially succeeds Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar and joins other newly appointed service chiefs as a member of the Armed Forces Council.
Lawmakers commended AVM Aneke’s operational record and leadership experience, particularly his achievements as Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, where he enhanced the NAF’s strategic airlift capability, strengthened joint operations, and improved responsiveness in complex security situations. His leadership in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations also drew praise for its vital role in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency and internal security campaigns.
The Senate described his confirmation as both constitutional and strategic, reinforcing civilian oversight of the military while ensuring continuity in the NAF’s modernisation efforts and airpower expansion.
Aneke, a graduate of the United States Air War College, Montgomery, Alabama, holds multiple advanced degrees in Strategic Studies, International Affairs and Diplomacy, and Political Economy and Development Studies. With over 4,300 flight hours on various aircraft, he is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished pilots and airpower strategists.
In his message to Nigerians, AVM Aneke assured that under his leadership, the Air Force would be swift in action, precise in strike, and intelligent in execution — a force built not just for power, but for purpose, protection, and national progress.
