By Nkechi Eze
In a landmark decision that signals a new era of strategic innovation, professionalism, and renewed operational focus within the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke has been appointed as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff (CAS). His appointment, widely applauded across the defence community, is seen as a major step toward consolidating airpower effectiveness, strengthening joint operations, and advancing Nigeria’s national security architecture.
Born on 20 February 1972 in Makurdi, Benue State, Air Vice Marshal 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 reflected early discipline and focus. He attended Army Children School, New Cantonment ‘A’, Kaduna (1976–1982) and Government College, Kaduna (1982–1987), where his leadership qualities and academic excellence began to shine.
He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 40th Regular Combatant Course, and upon successful completion of his training, was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on 10 September 1993. Since then, he has risen through the ranks on the strength of merit, professionalism, and exceptional performance.
A man of intellect and depth, Air Vice Marshal Aneke combines the rigour of military precision with the sophistication of strategic scholarship. He 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).
His quest for knowledge and continuous improvement underscores his belief that effective leadership must be grounded in both intellectual insight and operational experience.
Throughout his illustrious career, Air Vice Marshal Aneke has passed through the corridors of some of the world’s finest military institutions. He is an alumnus of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, where he completed both the Junior and Senior Staff Courses, and the prestigious United States Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies.
He has served in several critical command, instructional, and policy roles, each contributing to the operational transformation of the Nigerian Air Force. His 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 was the Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Yenagoa, where he distinguished himself by improving air mobility operations, enhancing joint force integration, and boosting strategic responsiveness in multi-domain operations.
An accomplished and versatile pilot, Air Vice Marshal Aneke has logged over 4,359 flying hours across multiple aircraft types including the Air Beetle 18, Dornier 228, Citation 500, Falcon 900, Gulfstream V, Gulfstream 550, and Hawker 4000. His operational experience extends beyond Nigeria’s borders—he served in Operation Restore Hope in the Niger Delta and contributed significantly to United Nations peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), where he served as Chief of Air Operations, Kindu Region.
In these roles, he played a pivotal part in strengthening intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, an area that has since become central to the Nigerian Air Force’s counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism campaigns.
Decorated with numerous medals and honours, including GSS, DSS, GSM, FCM, Psc, MSc, MIAD, MPEDS, and USAFWC, Air Vice Marshal Aneke’s record of service reflects courage, discipline, and unwavering professionalism. His colleagues describe him as a leader of quiet strength, visionary outlook, and a deep sense of national duty—attributes that have earned him admiration within and outside the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
As he assumes command as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Aneke steps into the role at a defining moment for Nigeria’s defence posture. His leadership is expected to bring renewed focus on airpower modernization, human capacity development, and innovation in defence technology. He is also expected to deepen intelligence-led operations and strengthen collaboration among the Services in tackling terrorism, insurgency, and emerging transnational threats.
Known for his humility, intellect, and devotion to service, Air Vice Marshal Aneke embodies the ideals of the Nigerian Air Force, discipline, courage, and excellence. His appointment has been widely interpreted as a strategic move to consolidate professionalism, reinforce institutional reforms, and drive the Nigerian Air Force into a new era of smarter, more adaptive airpower delivery.
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke is happily married to Mrs. Ngozi Enderline Aneke, and their union is blessed with three sons, Chukwuebuka Kelvin, Ifeanyichukwu Brian, and Uchechukwu Jason.
With an illustrious career defined by learning, leadership, and loyalty to the nation, the new Chief of the Air Staff stands poised to steer the Nigerian Air Force to greater heights, anchored on excellence, guided by strategy, and propelled by the enduring spirit of service to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
