Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke: Charting a New Flight Path for the Nigerian Air Force

The appointment of Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) — one that signals a blend of intellectual depth, operational precision, and visionary leadership.

Born on 20 February 1972 in Makurdi, Benue State, AVM Aneke hails from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. The son of Air Warrant Officer (Rtd) Sylvester and Mrs Ngozi Aneke, his formative years were shaped by discipline and a clear sense of duty, nurtured through his education at Army Children School, New Cantonment ‘A’, Kaduna (1976–1982) and Government College, Kaduna (1982–1987).

In 1987, he was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, as a member of the 40th Regular Combatant Course, and on 10 September 1993, he was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer — a beginning that would define a career of brilliance, dedication, and steady advancement through merit.

Air Vice Marshal Aneke is widely admired as a rare blend of scholar and strategist. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (University of Calabar), and two Master’s Degrees — one in International Affairs and Diplomacy (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria) and another in Political Economy and Development Studies (University of Abuja).

His academic depth extends to a Professional Certificate in Aviation Safety Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, USA, and he is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). These qualifications underpin his philosophy that modern air warfare and defence management must be driven by intellectual rigour, technological innovation, and strategic foresight.

Aneke’s military education is equally distinguished. He is a graduate of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, where he completed both the Junior and Senior Staff Courses, and the United States Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, where he earned a Master’s in Strategic Studies. These experiences have equipped him with a global perspective on airpower employment and interagency cooperation in contemporary security environments.

A Distinguished Career of Command and Excellence

Throughout his service, AVM Aneke has held an impressive array of command, instructional, and policy appointments that have honed his operational and administrative competence. Among them are Director of Policy, Director of Safety, Deputy Director of Operations at NAF Headquarters, Command Operations Officer, Tactical Air Command, and Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy.

Until his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff, he served as Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Yenagoa, where he led strategic reforms to enhance airlift capacity, logistics coordination, and joint force integration, strengthening the Air Force’s response to complex security challenges across multiple domains.

An accomplished pilot with over 4,359 flying hours, AVM Aneke is type-rated on several aircraft, including the Air Beetle 18, Dornier 228, Citation 500, Falcon 900, Gulfstream V, Gulfstream 550, and Hawker 4000. His operational record covers both domestic and international assignments, 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 has been particularly impactful in advancing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, which have strengthened the Nigerian Air Force’s counter-insurgency and counterterrorism operations nationwide.

Decorations and Recognition

For his meritorious service, Air Vice Marshal Aneke has been decorated with several prestigious honours, including:

Grand Service Star (GSS)

Distinguished Service Star (DSS)

General Service Medal (GSM)

Fellow Command Medal (FCM)

Passed Staff Course (psc)

Master’s in Strategic Studies (MSc, USAFWC)

Member, International Affairs and Diplomacy (MIAD)

Member, Political Economy and Development Studies (MPEDS)

These honours reflect his dedication, discipline, and professionalism as a career officer who has remained steadfast in the service of the nation.

Leadership with Vision and Integrity

Air Vice Marshal Aneke’s leadership style is marked by calm confidence, intellectual humility, and a deep belief in teamwork. Colleagues describe him as a refined officer, visionary thinker, and professional aviator who combines strategic foresight with a results-oriented mindset.

As the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff, he assumes command at a critical period, as the Nigerian Air Force expands its role in internal security, regional stability, and technological modernization. Under his watch, the Service is poised to strengthen airpower projection, deepen intelligence-led operations, modernize air assets, and invest in human capacity development for sustainable security operations.

A Life Anchored in Faith, Family, and Service

A devoted family man and patriot, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke is happily married to Mrs Ngozi Enderline Aneke, and their marriage is blessed with three sons — Chukwuebuka Kelvin, Ifeanyichukwu Brian, and Uchechukwu Jason.

Beyond the uniform, he embodies humility, discipline, and spiritual grounding — qualities that have shaped his steady rise through the ranks and continue to inspire those who serve under his command.

With his rich blend of intellect, experience, and integrity, Air Vice Marshal Aneke stands ready to steer the Nigerian Air Force into a new era of smarter airpower delivery, inter-service synergy, and enduring national security.