TheCable

In a decisive move to elevate the standards of Nigeria’s civil aviation and bolster consumer protection, President Bola Tinubu has approved significant leadership changes in six parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

The reshuffling, announced by presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale on December 13, reflects the President’s commitment to enhancing the well-being of Nigerian passengers and stakeholders in the aviation industry.

The shake-up involves the removal of key executives from prominent aviation agencies, with replacements appointed to steer these organisations into a new era of excellence.

The affected agencies include the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Changes in leadership

Among the notable changes is the removal of Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed as the Managing Director of FAAN, replaced by Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku. Engr. Umar Ahmed Farouk assumed the role of managing director of NAMA, succeeding Mr. Tayib Adetunji Odunowo. Mr. Alex Badeh Jnr. steps into the position of Director-General of NSIB, succeeding Engr. Akinola Olateru.

Prof. Charles Anosike takes over as the substantive Director-General of NIMET, succeeding Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu. Meanwhile, Mr. Joseph Shaka Imalighwe assumes the role of Acting Rector at NCAT, succeeding Capt. Alkali Mahmud Modibbo, pending the appointment of a substantive Rector in accordance with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Act, 2022.

In a bold move, Capt. Musa Shuaibu Nuhu, the Director-General of NCAA, has been suspended from office to allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct an unrestricted investigation into his activities and those of other senior officials in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. Capt. Chris Najomo steps in as the Acting Director-General during this period.

Previous summons

Nigeria’s aviation sector is constantly under increased scrutiny. On November 27, Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, summoned heads of regulatory agencies for an urgent meeting.

The meeting was announced through the minister’s official communication platform, his X account, and is said to address and rectify issues affecting public confidence in air travel.The meeting aims to not only address current safety issues but also administer necessary sanctions for past incidents.

In recent aviation incidents, a United Nigeria flight bound for Abuja mistakenly landed in Asaba, Delta state, raising questions about flight planning accuracy. Additionally, Dana Air faced operational challenges on a flight from Lagos to Abuja, leading to non-scheduled maintenance and concerns about aircraft safety.

Running the aviation industry is not as simple as playing the Aviator game. Experts have identified the lack of a coherent air transport policy, poor management practices, deteriorating infrastructure, lax security measures, corruption, and political interference as key factors impeding the progress of Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Future aspirations

President Tinubu has also greenlit a meticulous process, led by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, to recruit a substantive Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers for the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AU).

Expressing optimism, President Tinubu expects the new leadership to prioritise the safety, convenience, and comfort of the Nigerian people in all administrative activities. Recognizing 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 realign the aviation sector with his Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to the State House’s statement, the directives from President Tinubu are effective immediately, with the hopes of initiating a transformative period for Nigeria’s aviation industry.