Najomo’s appointment based on Nuhu’s suspension, remains Acting DG, says Minister

Contrary to claims that the tenure of the Acting Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Chris Najomo ended on Wednesday, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development said Najomo remains the Acting DG of the agency.

The Ministry was reacting to a Punch Newspaper story of June 19th 2024 titled “Worry as NCAA Acting Director-General (DG) tenure expires”.

In a statement by the Head, of Press and Public Affairs, Odutayo Oluseyi disclosed that the Public Service Rules (PRS) which define employment relationship between employees in the Public Service and the Government in section 7: 020704(b) on acting appointment stipulates” that the period of Acting appointment shall not exceed one year, but in exceptional circumstances may be extended for another year”. The Acting Director-General, Mr. Chris Najomo has been in office for only six months.

He noted that for the avoidance of doubt, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not appoint Capt. Chris Najomo as Acting Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority on a six-month tenure.

The appointment of Capt. Chris Najomo’s Acting capacity according to him was based on the suspension of the former Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority by Mr President based on an ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission on allegations of corruption against him.

This clarification, he said, had become expedient in order not to create unnecessary tension and disaffection in the Civil Aviation Industry, saying there is no worry at all about the tenure of Mr Chris Najomo as he remains the Acting Director-General of the NCAA.

Wole Shadare