Tinubu Approves Leadership Changes In Aviation and Aerospace Devt Parastatals

•Sacks CEOs of FAAN, NAMA, NSIB, NIMET and NCAT  •Suspends NCAA DG

•Directs EFCC to investigate CEO, other senior officials of NCAA

•Says sector has underperformed over time

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has approved immediate leadership changes in six parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

The changes, according to a release issued on yesterday night by presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, is  in line with the President’s determination to bring world class standards to Nigerian Civil Aviation and consumer protection and the promotion of the wellbeing of Nigerian passengers and other sectoral stakeholders.

Those sacked include Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed, who has been replaced with Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku as substantive Managing Director; Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Tayib Adetunji Odunowo is replaced with Engr. Umar Ahmed Farouk as the substantive Managing Director; and Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Engr. Akinola Olateru whose position has been taken by Mr. Alex Badeh Jnr.

Others are Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu replaced with Prof. Charles Anosike as substantive DG and Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Capt. Alkali Mahmud Modibbo, who has been replaced with Mr. Joseph Shaka Imalighwe as Acting Rector pending the appointment of a substantive Rector, in accordance with Section 13(2) of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Act, 2022.

On his part, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Shuaibu Nuhu was suspended from office to enable the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct an unfettered investigation into his activities as Director-General and other senior officials in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority while Capt. Chris Najomo assumes office as  Acting Director-General.

According to the statement, President Tinubu further approvedcl the commencement of a diligent process to be conducted by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development to recruit a substantive Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers of the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU).

The President expressed hope that the new leadership across this critical sector will uphold the safety, convenience, and comfort of the Nigerian people as primary and sacrosanct in all of their administrative activities.

Due to the high cost of underperformance in the sector, the President has demanded the immediate establishment of world-class policy design, implementation, and regulatory frameworks to reposition the sector in alignment with his Renewed Hope Agenda.