By Gabriel Ameh
The appointment of Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Sunday Kelvin Aneke as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) one defined by intellectual depth, operational precision, and a renewed commitment to national security and excellence in airpower delivery.
Born on February 20, 1972, in Makurdi, Benue State, AVM Aneke hails from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. The son of Air Warrant Officer (Rtd) Sylvester Aneke and Mrs. Ngozi Aneke, his formative years at Army Children School, New Cantonment ‘A’, Kaduna (1976–1982) and Government College, Kaduna (1982–1987) shaped his disciplined character and passion for service.
In 1990, he gained admission 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 September 10, 1993. Since then, his career has been a steady ascent marked by professional brilliance, leadership, and integrity.
Academic and Professional Excellence
An erudite officer and scholar, AVM Aneke holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the University of Calabar. He also earned 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 further holds a Professional Certificate in Aviation Safety Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, USA, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), underscoring his passion for informed leadership and strategic innovation.
Strategic Training and Command Experience
AVM Aneke’s military education includes the Junior and Senior Staff Courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
He has held numerous key appointments that shaped both his operational and policy expertise. These include:
Director of Policy, NAF Headquarters
Director of Safety
Deputy Director of Operations, NAF Headquarters
Command Operations Officer, Tactical Air Command
Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy
Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Mobility Command, Yenagoa
As AOC Mobility Command, he strengthened airlift capability, enhanced joint operations, and improved rapid-response readiness for multi-domain missions.
Distinguished Flying Career and Global Missions
An accomplished pilot with over 4,359 flying hours, AVM Aneke is type-rated on multiple aircraft including the Air Beetle 18, Dornier 228, Citation 500, Falcon 900, Gulfstream V, Gulfstream 550, and Hawker 4000.
His operational experience spans domestic and international theatres — from Operation Restore Hope in the Niger Delta, to United Nations peacekeeping missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), where he served as Chief of Air Operations, Kindu Region.
His leadership in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations has significantly advanced the Nigerian Air Force’s counter-insurgency capabilities and joint-force effectiveness.
Honours and Personal Life
AVM Aneke’s illustrious career has earned him numerous decorations, including GSS, DSS, GSM, FCM, Psc, MSc, MIAD, MPEDS, and USAFWC. Known for his calm intellect, strategic foresight, and ethical leadership, he commands respect across the Armed Forces and beyond.
He is married to Mrs. Ngozi Enderline Aneke, and they are blessed with three sons Chukwuebuka Kelvin, Ifeanyichukwu Brian, and Uchechukwu Jason.
A New Chapter for the Nigerian Air Force
As he assumes command as Chief of the Air Staff, AVM Sunday Kelvin Aneke brings with him a rare blend of operational experience, academic depth, and visionary leadership. His focus on airpower modernization, intelligence-driven operations, innovation in defence technology, and human capacity development promises to reposition the Nigerian Air Force for greater efficiency in addressing terrorism, insurgency, and emerging security challenges.
In his humility, discipline, and commitment to excellence, AVM Aneke embodies the enduring values of the Nigerian Air Force — discipline, courage, and service as he leads the Service into a new era of smarter airpower delivery and strengthened national defence.
