In a sweeping move on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu made significant changes in the aviation sector, resulting in the dismissal of heads of various agencies and the appointment of new leadership, as well as the suspension of the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The heads of agencies affected by the reshuffling include Mr. Kabir Mohammed (Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria), Mr. Tayib Odunowo (Nigerian Airspace Management Agency), Akinola Olateru (Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau), Prof. Mansur Matazu (Nigerian Meteorological Agency), and Alkali Modibbo (Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology).
President Tinubu also took a decisive step by suspending the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Musa Nuhu. The suspension is intended “to enable the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to conduct an unfettered investigation into the activities of the suspended Director-General and other senior officials in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority,” according to a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
Following these changes, the President appointed new leaders to key positions, including Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku as the substantive Managing Director of FAAN, Umar Farouk as the substantive Managing Director of NAMA, Mr. Alex Badeh Jr. as the substantive Director-General of the NSIB, Prof. Charles Anosike as the substantive Director-General of NiMET, and Mr. Joseph Imalighwe as the Acting Rector of NCAT. Mr. Chris Najomo assumes office as the Acting Director-General of the NCAA immediately.
This overhaul is expected to bring fresh perspectives and leadership to the aviation sector, as well as address concerns raised by the President regarding the activities of certain officials within the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
