The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the removal of the heads of all agencies in the country’s aviation industry. The affected parastatals include the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency. The Director General of the NCAA was suspended pending the outcome of investigation into allegations of corruption against him.
The removal, which also affected all directors of the affected agencies, has been received with mixed feelings as a section of stakeholders in the industry believe that some of the affected managing directors were performing well.
These changes according to the government is “in line with his (the President) 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.”
The government has further appointed the following as Chief Executive Officers of the parastatals:
- Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)- Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku
- Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)- Engr. Umar Ahmed Farouk
- Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB)- Mr. Alex Badeh Jr
- Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET)- Prof. Charles Anosike
- Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT)- Mr. Joseph Shaka Imalighwe
- Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)- Capt. Chris Najomo is (in acting capacity pending the outcome of investigation of the Director General, Capt. Musa Nuhu.)
In line with the presidential directives, the former occupants have been handing over to their successors. With her appointment, Mrs. Kuku becomes the first female Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.