Sunday Aneke: The steady hand now steering Nigeria’s Air Force
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Sunday Kelvin Aneke (Air Vice Marshal) as the 23rd Chief of Air Staff on October 24 2025, it marked the rise of a seasoned pilot and strategist to one of Nigeria’s most critical military commands. With more than three decades of service and over 4,300 flight hours across multiple aircraft types, Aneke represents a blend of operational experience, academic depth, and leadership discipline at a time when the Air Force faces increasing demands from home and abroad.
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Born on February 20 1972, in Makurdi, Benue State, to Air Warrant Officer (rtd) Sylvester Aneke and Ngozi Aneke, he hails from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. His early life was steeped in military influence, setting him on a path that would take him from the classrooms of Army Children School, Kaduna, to the skies above Africa and beyond.
From cadet to commander
Aneke’s military journey began in 1988 when he was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 40th Regular Combatant Course. Commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1993, he quickly proved himself in both flight and command. Over the years, he has held key appointments that shaped his reputation as a steady hand in the cockpit and a disciplined thinker in command centres.
He has served as Commander of the 307 Executive Airlift Group, Director of Policy and Safety at Air Force Headquarters, Deputy Director of Operations, and Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy — the institution that shaped generations of Nigerian officers. Until he was appointed Air Chief, he was the Air Officer Commanding the Nigerian Air Force Mobility Command in Yenagoa, where he strengthened joint force integration and improved air mobility operations.
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A pilot with global experience
With 4,359 flying hours logged on aircraft, including the Gulfstream 550, Falcon 900, and Hawker 4000, Aneke has flown some of the Air Force’s most sophisticated platforms. He holds an Advanced Transport Pilot Licence and is type-rated on several aircraft, from the Air Beetle 18 to the Dornier 228.
His operational record spans domestic and international missions. As a Squadron Leader, he flew intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions during Operation Restore Hope in the Niger Delta, contributing to stabilisation efforts in the oil-rich region. Internationally, he served under the United Nations Mission in Congo (MONUC) as Chief of Air Operations in the Kindu Region, coordinating logistics and aerial support for peacekeeping forces.
Academic excellence and strategic training
Aneke’s career is also defined by a strong academic and professional foundation. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, and two master’s degrees — one in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, and another in Political Economy and Developmental Studies from the University of Abuja.
He is an alumnus of the prestigious United States Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, where he earned a Master’s in Strategic Studies, and has also attended the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, completing both Junior and Senior Staff Courses. In addition, he earned a Professional Certificate in Aviation Safety Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida and is currently pursuing a PhD.
Medals, mindset, and mission
Decorated with multiple service honours — including GSS, DSS, GSM, FCM, and Psc — Aneke is widely regarded as a calm, meticulous leader with a clear vision for the Air Force. Colleagues describe him as a team player with a balanced temperament, capable of managing both people and machines under pressure.
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Under his leadership, the Nigerian Air Force is expected to prioritise intelligence-led operations, airpower projection, and innovation in defence technology. His focus, insiders say, will be on building human capacity and strengthening coordination with other branches of the Armed Forces to respond more swiftly to security challenges across the country.
Family and personal life
Away from duty, Aneke is a family man. He is married to Ngozi Enderline Aneke, and they have three sons — Chukwuebuka Kelvin, Ifeanyichukwu Brian, and Uchechukwu Jason. He enjoys flying, music, and movies.
A steady hand for turbulent times
Aneke takes command at a pivotal moment. With the Air Force playing a central role in joint military operations across Nigeria, from counter-insurgency missions in the North-East to maritime surveillance in the Gulf of Guinea, the demands on the service are high.
Whether overseeing tactical air missions or steering policy from Abuja, the new Chief of Air Staff faces the task of ensuring that Nigeria’s skies remain both secure and sovereign.
