President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed 33 new directors of various agencies under the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace. The move was made to help reposition the agencies and ensure they meet their statutory duties as enshrined in the Acts. The new appointees would also assist in addressing appropriate placements and federal character requirements.
Some of the modifications recently introduced include the creation of new directorates for agencies under the Ministry. These include the Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Corporate Services, and Aviation Security directorates. The Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Directorate is particularly crucial in addressing complaints by stakeholders of different agencies. This directorate will oversee the Public Affairs/Protocol, Consumer Protection, SERVICOM, and Anti-corruption departments.
The creation of the Aviation Security Directorate comes with the backdrop of the recent arms-bearing status of the AVSEC personnel. The Directorate would regulate their activities. Also, the Corporate Services Directorates are to oversee procurement and planning, research, and departments.
The appointment of Kabir Yusuf Mohammed as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria was necessitated by the changes, while Tayib Odunowo became the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency. On the other hand, the Directors-General of agencies such as the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Akin Olateru; the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Mansur Matazu, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Musa Nuhu, would serve out the remaining time of their tenures as provided in the Acts setting up their respective agencies.
Captain Bako Mansur Modibo, the Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, has been granted a one-year extension, again in line with the College’s Act.
Other appointments and designations include Shehu D. Mohammed as Human Resources and Administration of FAAN, Engr Gbolahan Abatan as Director, Airworthiness Standards, and Godwin Balang as Director, Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, among others, all at the NCAA. Barr Azubuike Okorie serves as Corporate Services at FAAN.
The appointments come as President Muhammadu Buhari attempts to reposition the aviation sector and meet the statutory demands of the agencies.
