Nigeria’s Federal Government has laid off all directors of civil aviation agencies in the country, a move which follows the recent sack of Chief Executive Officers from the same organizations.
The cascade of changes within the aviation sector ensued after President Bola Tinubu relieved six Managing Directors and Directors-General of parastatals in the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
The list of dismissed directors spans pivotal entities in the aviation sector, signaling a significant shake-up within the industry. Key organizations such as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority were affected by the development.
Subsequently, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo in a statement issued by spokesperson Odutayo Oluseyi on Thursday, directed the immediate handover of responsibilities by the affected directors to the most senior officers in their respective directorates.
The government clarified that the overarching objective behind this action is to overhaul and restructure the aviation sector. This move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to fortify and streamline air travel, aiming to ensure a secure and efficient air travel experience for Nigerians.
The statement said”Following the change in the leadership of the Aviation and Aerospace Development Agencies’ CEOs and MDs aimed to reposition the Aviation industry and ensure safety and efficient air travel experience by Nigerians in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President, I am directed to inform all directors of the following agencies that they have been relieved of their appointments forthwith and should hand over to the most senior officer in their various directorates with immediate effect.”
However, the government made a clear exception, stating that Board Secretaries and Legal Advisers are not affected by this directive.
The directive reiterated the importance of strict compliance with the new development.