Profile of new Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as the new Chief of Air Staff (CAS), following a major reorganisation of the nation’s military hierarchy aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s defence and security capabilities.

Born on February 20, 1972, in Makurdi, Benue State, Air Vice Marshal Aneke hails from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. He began his early education at the Army Children School, New Cantonment ‘A’, Kaduna (1976–1982), and later attended Government College, Kaduna, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1987.

He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, as a member of the 40th Regular Course in September 1988 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Nigerian Air Force on September 10, 1993.

Aneke is a scholar-soldier with an impressive academic portfolio. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the University of Calabar, a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and another Master’s in Political Economy and Developmental Studies from the University of Abuja. He also earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the prestigious U.S. Air War College, Air University, Montgomery, Alabama.

Throughout his career, Air Vice Marshal Aneke has held several key command and staff positions, including:

• Admin Officer, Aircraft Overhaul Centre, Aircraft Maintenance Depot, Ikeja

• Logistics Officer, 301 Flying Training School, Kaduna

• Commanding Officer, Base Services Wing, Air Maritime Group, Benin

• Commander, 307 Executive Airlift Group, Abuja

• Director of Safety, Nigerian Air Force Headquarters

• Deputy Director of Operations, Nigerian Air Force Headquarters

• Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

He has also served with the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), gaining valuable international peacekeeping experience.

Aneke is a highly skilled pilot with over 4,300 flying hours on various aircraft, including the Air Beetle 18, Dornier-228, Citation-500, Falcon-900, Gulfstream V/550, and Hawker-4000.

As Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Aneke is expected to prioritise air mobility, intelligence gathering, surveillance, and inter-service coordination, with a renewed focus on technology-driven operations and personnel development. His leadership is also expected to enhance training standards, air safety, and rapid response capabilities across all theatres of operation.

A family man, Air Vice Marshal Aneke is married to Mrs. Ngozi Enderline Aneke, and they are blessed with three sons Chukwuebuka, Ifeanyichukwu, and Uchechukwu. He enjoys flying, music, and movies in his leisure time.