By Milcah Tanimu
President Bola Tinubu took decisive action yesterday by dismissing several Chief Executive Officers within the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, as part of his commitment to instilling world-class standards in Nigerian Civil Aviation. The replacements for these positions were promptly announced by the President through a statement from his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
The changes in leadership include the removal of Mr. Kabir Mohammed as the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), with Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku appointed as the new substantive Managing Director. Similarly, Mr. Tayib Odunowo, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), was replaced by Engr. Umar Farouk.
President Tinubu also relieved Engr. Akinola Olateru of his role as the Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), appointing Mr. Alex Badeh Jr. as the new substantive Director-General. The Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Prof. Mansur Matazu, was replaced by Prof. Charles Anosike.
Capt. Alkali Modibbo, the Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), was removed from office and replaced with Mr. Joseph Imalighwe as the acting Rector, pending the appointment of a substantive Rector in accordance with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Act, 2022.
In addition, Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has been suspended to allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct an unfettered investigation into the activities of the suspended Director-General and other senior officials in NCAA. Capt. Chris Najomo has been appointed as the Acting Director-General of NCAA.
President Tinubu also greenlit the initiation of a diligent process, to be led by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, for the recruitment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers of the Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU).
The President emphasized the need for the new leadership in the aviation sector to prioritize the safety, convenience, and comfort of the Nigerian people. He underscored the urgency of establishing world-class policy design, implementation, and regulatory frameworks to realign the sector with his renewed hope agenda. All the directives are effective immediately.