Following the expiration of the acting tenure of Capt. Chris Najomo, the Acting Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, stakeholders in the sector are asking President Bola Tinubu to ensure stability in the agency.
Najomo’s tenure as head of the NCAA expired on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
He was appointed in acting capacity on December 13, 2003, following the suspension of Capt. Musa Nuhu, the erstwhile Director-General of the NCAA.
It was gathered that Nuhu, about two weeks ago, tendered his terminal leave letter to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. The development marked his final exit from the aviation regulatory agency.
Nuhu was suspended from office to pave way for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate corruption allegations levelled against him. However, the report of the EFCC investigation is yet to be made public.
Meanwhile, amid concerns over leadership vacuum in the NCAA, stakeholders in the aviation sector, under the aegis of Renewed Hope Ambassadors Network, RHAN, are calling on President Bola Tinubu to ensure stability in the agency by appointing Najomo as the substantive Director-General.
In a statement issued by the Secretary-General, Opialu Opailu, RHAN noted that the NCAA recorded transformational strides during Najomo’s tenure as acting DG.
Stressing that NCAA experienced a renewed sense of purpose and efficiency under Najomo’s leadership, RHAN said he has the attributes to lead the agency to greater heights.
“His tenure as Managing Director of an airline gives him a unique insight into the pains and challenges of operators. This dual perspective — as a pilot and an administrator — has enabled him to implement policies that balance regulatory oversight with industry development.
“His approach ensures that operators thrive while passengers enjoy safety and reliability.”
In its appeal to President Tinubu, RHAN argued that confirming Najomo as substantive Director-General would ensure continuity and further strengthen the gains made under his leadership.
“The discussion about who should occupy the office of the substantive DG of the NCAA should not be a matter of worry,”
RHAN added, contrasting Najomo’s tenure with the controversies that plagued some past DGs, many of whom faced allegations of corrupt practices and investigations by the EFCC.
“The era of leadership instability and corruption in the NCAA is over. Aviation is a critical sector for Nigeria’s economic transformation. Under Captain Najomo’s leadership, the NCAA is well-positioned to drive this transformation. His vision for a safe, efficient, and globally competitive aviation sector is precisely what Nigeria needs at this time,” RHAN added.
Section 7 of the Federal Government Public Service Rules on acting appointment stipulated that any officer appointed in acting capacity cannot exceed a 12 months period in such a position.
With Najomo’s acting tenure expiring on December 12, 2024, there is a vacuum in the leadership of the NCAA.
The development has been a source of concern among stakeholders in the aviation sector.
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