Tinubu replaces the heads of all five aviation agencies in drastic move to revamp the sector

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has sacked the heads of the five government agencies in Nigeria's aviation sector in a major shake-up aimed at revitalising the industry and enhancing customer service.

Among those sacked are Kabir Mohammed of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (Faan), Tayib Odunowo of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (Nama), Akinola Olateru of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Professor Mansur Matazu of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Nimet) and Alkali Modibbo, the rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT). In addition, the director-general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu, has been suspended.

Apparently, Captain Nuhu has been suspended to enable the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission conduct an unfettered investigation into the activities of the NCAA. Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu's spokesman, revealed the sweeping changes in a statement titled President Tinubu approves leadership changes in the aviation and aerospace development sector.

As replacements, the president appointed Olubunmi Kuku as the substantive Faan managing director, Umar Farouk as the substantive Nama managing director and Alex Bada, the son of the former chief of air staff, the substantive NSIB director-general. Also, President Tinubu named Professor Charles Anosike as the substantive director-general of Nimet and Joseph Imalighwe as the acting rector of NCAT, while Chris Najomo assumes office as the acting director-general of the NCAA.

Furthermore, President Tinubu approved the commencement of the process to recruit a substantive vice chancellor and other principal officers of the African Aviation and Aerospace University. According to Mr Ngelale, all the directives of the president take immediate effect.

Mr Ngelale said: “These changes are in line with the president’s determination to bring world class standards to Nigerian civil aviation in consumer protection and the promotion of the wellbeing of Nigerian passengers and other sectoral stakeholders."

He added that the president anticipates that the new leadership across the aviation sector will uphold the safety, convenience and comfort of Nigerians people as primary and sacrosanct in all of their administrative activities. According to Mr Ngelale, due to the high cost of under-performance in the sector, the president also demanded the immediate establishment of world-class policy design, implementation and regulatory frameworks to reposition the sector in alignment with his Renewed Hope Agenda.