Tinubu fires five aviation agencies heads, suspends NCAA boss

The heads of several aviation-related agencies were fired by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, and their positions were filled by acting and substantive heads.

Among them is Prof. Mansur Matazu of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Alkali Modibbo, the Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Akinola Olateru of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Mr. Kabir Mohammed of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and Mr. Tayib Odunowo of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.

In addition, a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Advisor on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Wednesday night disclosed that he had suspended Captain Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, “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.”

“President Tinubu approves leadership changes in the Aviation and Aerospace Development Sector,” reads the announcement.

As a result, the President named Mr. Alex Badeh Jr., the son of the previous Chief of Air Staff, as the substantive Director-General of the NSIB, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku as the substantive Managing Director of FAAN, and Umar Farouk as the substantive Managing Director of NAMA.

Additionally, Tinubu appointed Mr. Joseph Imalighwe as the Acting Rector of NCAT, Prof. Charles Anosike as the substantive Director-General of NiMET, and Mr. Chris Najomo as the Acting Director-General of the NCAA, effective immediately.

He also authorized the start of the hiring process for a substantive vice-chancellor and other key officers of the African Aviation and Aerospace University, which will be headed by Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

The move is “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,” said Ngelale.

The president expressed his expectation that the new leadership in the aviation industry will prioritize and uphold the safety, convenience, and comfort of Nigerians in all of their administrative actions.

To bring the industry back into line with his Renewed Hope Agenda, the President also urged the rapid construction of world-class policy design, execution, and regulatory frameworks due to the enormous cost of underperformance in the sector.

All of the President’s orders, Ngelale said, are effective right away.