THE NEW SHERIFF AT NIGCOMSAT

  Tukur Mohammed Lawal comes highly recommended, writes Stephen Kwande

In the twilight of 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari, through the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ibrahim Pantami announced the replacement of Dr. Abimbola Alale, erstwhile Managing Director, Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) with Engr. Tukur Mohammed Lawal.

The appointment of Engr. Lawal to superintend this important organization makes him its third Chief Executive Officer in its 17 years of existence. On the day of his arrival at NIGCOMSAT LTD, it was a breath of fresh air for a work environment that eagerly awaited a new dawn. And what was more, there was a sense in which Lawal exuded the energy needed to reinvigorate a seemingly tired work force; someone with a clear vision and mission. 

Though some sections of the media expressed skepticism simply because he is not from the ICT industry, his zeal is already proving them wrong. This position seems to question the choice of the Hon. Minister who recommended the appointment and whose competence and achievements under the Muhammadu Buhari presidency remain unassailable.   

Undoubtedly, l am of the strong belief that any doubts arising from the appointment does not take into consideration the appointee’s matchless credentials.

Even without perusing the crowded curriculum vitae of Engr. Tukur Muhammadu Lawal, any discerning mind would believe that NIGCOMSAT is not going to be business as usual. From the onset, the day Engr. Lawal stepped on the Ground Control Station, he demonstrated uncommon work attitude which has already endeared staff to him and, staffers continue to adjust to the dawn of a new era.

In the first week of his assumption of office, he started a familiarization tour of different operating units and departments of the organization with a view to acquainting himself with the state of affairs as well as issues to be addressed. And as a safety expert, he has enforced the used of helmet as critical to the operations of the company especially amongst the engineers.

He started the second week by engaging different strata of the company. He received briefings from executive directors to departmental heads to further appraise himself with the operations of the organization.

 Within this period, he has also come out with a policy thrust that is expected to instill the right work ethic at NIGCOMSAT. This is promoted via the following phrases which reflect the organization’s new thinking: ‘On time is late’, ‘See something, do something’, ‘customer is king’, ‘HSE are our core values’, ‘A clean workplace is SAFE’, ‘Corporate objectives override self-interest’, ‘l pledge to be our good ambassador’, ‘l pledge to confidentiality’, ‘l commit to Loyalty and Integrity’. These are the nine pillars that are expected to support his policy direction.

But who is Tukur Mohammed Lawal? Engr. Lawal started his early life in the quiet, agrarian town of Funtua in Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State. He attended Bisije Primary School, Funtua from where he proceeded to Government Secondary School, also in Funtua. His quest to acquire more education took him to the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria after which he got admitted to the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.

His quest for more education also saw him at the Abubakar Tafawa University, Bauchi where he bagged a Post Graduate Diploma in Management with Upper Credit. He has over time acquired additional educational qualifications including a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (Management), Certificate in Personal Effectiveness at the Lagos Business School (LBS), Certificate in High Impact Leadership (LBS), Professional Diploma in Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Environmental Management at the University of Port Harcourt.

Engr. Tukur started work as a voluntary primary school class teacher at his alma mater in Funtua. Shortly thereafter, he was called up for the National Youth Service Corps programme and was posted to teach at Methodist Comprehensive College, Sagamu, Ogun State. After his national service, he gained employment and was posted to Minna as Industrial Officer II under the Federal Ministry of Industry, IDC, in Minna, Niger State, (1992)

From the Ministry of Industry, Engr. Lawal moved to AshakaCem Plc in 1992 as a process Engineer. He became the Environmental Coordinator of AshaCem Plc from 1992-1999 when he was elevated as Environment Manager from 2003-2005. Again, from 2003 to 2006, he was the Management Representative, ISO 900: 2000 Project. While retaining his position as Manager, he was moved to Health and Safety from 2005-2012. From 2012-2013, he was Manager, Training and Learning of the Human Resource Department. The dexterity and capacity he demonstrated in his job, saw him climbed the ladder and became the Country Health and Safety Manager in-charge of Nigeria and Benin Republic.

He also had a stint in the department of communications and public affairs and Sustainable Development of Larfage Africa Plc as Regional Manager (AshakaCem North).

Engr. Tukur Lawal is a member of many professional bodies. These include but not limited to Fellow, Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers; Fellow, Professional Leadership Practitioners Institute, Chartered Environmentalist, Society for Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation 1900667.

Armed with the above qualifications and experience, little wonder that awards could not elude him, including merit award from the President, Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (2021); the Best Safety Professionals by SAFETY AWARDS, Lagos 2015; Gombe, Award for Service to Humanity by the North-East Federal Road Safety Corps; Letter of Congratulations (Commendation) on functional achievement from AshakaCem Plc, 2011; Individual performance Award received at Lafarge SA, CEO, Mr. Bruno Lafont, in November 2006 at AshakaCem, Nigeria.

A prolific writer, Engr. Lawal has authored many books among which are: The Ethics in Health and Safety Management (2009); A history of MASKA DISTRICT (2008), Environmental Protection as a Religious Duty (2006). He also wrote a book: Funakaye Emirate of Gombe State (2011); and Appearance and Body Care of a Muslim (2000). 

Against this background, Engr. Lawal is easily recommended for his latest assignment at NIGCOMSAT LTD. It is time industry players extended hands of cooperation, friendship and work with this hardworking gentleman to move the country in the right direction in the Space and ICT industry. Nigeria has a large market to be shared among the key players. We have seen the deployment of foreign satellite operators on the Nigerian space and many more to come. Therefore, it is time stakeholders pursued and harnessed the potential to be customized on NigComSat 2 meant for Nigerian market. Broadband penetration should be our focus especially with an already clear road map.  Creating the conditions for a greater Nigeria is a task that we must all join hands to achieve. 

Kwande is a Senior Manager at the Corporate Affairs Dept. NIGCOMSAT LTD