In a surprising move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria's aviation sector, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has executed a sweeping overhaul by dismissing 33 directors under his ministry. Aviation experts are describing this move as a "clean sweep and reversal of the last-minute appointments" made during the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari when Senator Hadi Sirika served as the Minister of Aviation.
The backstory reveals that Sirika, just a week before the expiration of the Buhari administration on May 23, 2023, appointed 33 directors and a new managing director for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). Additionally, he introduced directorates that were previously non-existent in these agencies.
However, six months later, Minister Keyamo has wielded the axe, catching even the affected directors off guard. The dismissals followed the sudden removal of chief executives of aviation agencies, a move that left many top officials learning about their sack through newspapers or social media while they were abroad attending international events.
President Tinubu's approval on December 14 signaled the suspension, removal, and replacement of chief executive officers across key agencies under the aviation ministry, including FAAN, NCAA, NAMA, NSIB, NIMET, and NCAT.
The new appointments see prominent figures taking the helm, with Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku replacing Kabir Yusuf Mohammed at FAAN, Engr. Umar Ahmed Farouk succeeding Tayib Adetunji Odunowo at NAMA, and Mr. Alex Badeh Jr. stepping into the role of Director-General at NSIB.
The aviation ministry's statement emphasized the change in leadership as part of a broader effort to reposition the aviation industry, ensuring safety and an efficient air travel experience aligned with the "Renewed Hope" agenda of President Tinubu.
Reactions to the overhaul within the industry are mixed, with stakeholders divided over the government's reorganization. Former FAAN general manager Alhaji Abubakar Bibi commended Keyamo for reversing what he termed as the last-minute appointments by Sirika. On the other hand, union leader Comrade Olayinka Abioye expressed disappointment over the removal of hardworking directors but hoped for a more diligent selection process in the future.
As the industry absorbs the shockwaves from this unexpected shake-up, the impact on the efficiency and direction of Nigeria's aviation sector remains uncertain. Observers are keenly watching to see if the new appointments will bring about the anticipated improvements or if further challenges lie ahead.
