On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu gave his approval for the Chief Executive Officers of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to be suspended, removed, and replaced.The action, which takes immediate effect, is in line with President Tinubu's determination to bring world-class standards to Nigerian civil aviation in terms of consumer protection and the promotion of the wellbeing of Nigerian passengers and other sectoral stakeholders, according to a statement made by the presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, last night.
He clarified that Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku has taken over as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria's substantive managing director, succeeding Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed, who was removed from his position.
Similarly, Engr. Umar Ahmed Farouk has taken over as the official Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), succeeding Mr. Tayib Adetunji Odunowo, who was removed from his position.
As to the release, Mr. Alex Badeh Jr. has taken over as the substantive Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), succeeding Engr. Akinola Olateru as the Director-General.
Prof. Charles Anosike will take over as the official Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) following the removal of Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu.
In line with Section 13(2) of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Act, 2022, the Acting Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Mr. Joseph Shaka Imalighwe, succeeds Capt. Alkali Mahmud Modibbo as the college's Rector. This appointment is temporary, until a substantive Rector is appointed.
In order to allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct an unrestricted investigation into the activities of the suspended Director-General and other senior officials in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Musa Shuaibu Nuhu, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has also been suspended from his position.
Capt. Chris Najomo will take over as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority's Acting Director-General immediately in his place.
Additionally, President Tinubu gave his approval for the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development to start a thorough hiring process for the African Aviation and Aerospace University's (AAAU) substantive vice-chancellor and other key executives.
The President tasked the incoming administration with keeping the security, comfort, and convenience of the Nigerian people as the top priority and the gold standard in all administrative operations.
In the meantime, the President has insisted on the quick creation of top-notch policy design, execution, and regulatory frameworks to realign the industry with his Renewed Hope Agenda because of the significant cost of underperformance in the sector.