Ojikutu
You’ve probably heard the name before – Group Captain John Ojikutu (Rtd), the former commandant of Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a security specialist whose fingerprints are all over Nigeria’s aviation story. From his early days steering fighter jets to now steering policy debates, Ojikutu has turned a lifetime of flying into a relentless drive to modernise the sector.
After hanging up his flight suit, he swapped the cockpit for the boardroom, taking the helm at Centurion Securities while also serving as Secretary‑General of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative.
In a recent chat, he reminded us that the real “cash cow” of Nigerian aviation is still MMIA, urging the government to let airport managers run the show without the constant tug‑of‑war between Lagos and Abuja.
His call for a quick review of the FAAN Act – because the current version leaves security agencies in limbo – shows he’s still fighting the good fight for clearer, safer skies.
When it comes to the big money questions – concession, financing, and infrastructure – Ojikutu is unapologetically candid. He argues that while the state should keep control of runways and safety‑critical assets, non‑aeronautical services can be handed over to private partners to unlock billions in revenue.
His vision is simple: let the experts run the terminals, reinvest the proceeds, and watch passenger numbers climb – a goal that seems within reach as Nigeria handles over 15 million passengers a year and eyes $2.5 billion in aviation GDP.
Beyond the numbers, what sets Ojikutu apart is his unwavering focus on oversight. He’s vocal about the need for transparent audits of agencies like FAAN, warning that without proper checks the sector will keep spiralling into debt and inefficiency.
His recent commentary on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) telcoms – tiff even warned that pulling down thousands of masts could have security ramifications, underscoring his holistic view of safety – both in the air and on the ground.
In 2025, as Nigeria prepares for its inaugural International Airshow, you’ll likely see Group Captain Ojikutu in the front row, cheering on the next generation of pilots and engineers.
His legacy isn’t just the terminals he helped build or the policies he reshaped; it’s the culture of accountability and expertise he’s instilled in a sector that finally seems ready to take off.
If anyone can keep Nigeria’s aviation journey on a steady flight path, it’s this seasoned aviator with a heart as big as the sky.
