THE Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has been thrown into confusion following the continued presence of its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, in office more than a month after his mandatory retirement date had reportedly elapsed, News Point Nigeria gathered.
According to Nigeria’s Public Service Rules, civil servants are required to retire upon attaining the age of 60 years or completing 35 years of pensionable service, whichever comes first. Dr. Kana, who was appointed as Permanent Secretary in June 2021, is said to have exceeded this threshold but has remained in office without any official communication indicating an approved tenure extension.
His lingering presence has reportedly sparked discontent among top ministry officials and staff, with many questioning why the rules appear suspended in his case, despite their clear legal framework.
A senior official in the Ministry, who spoke to News Point Nigeria on the condition of anonymity, described the situation as a brewing internal crisis.
“His tenure has ended. By every rule and calculation, he should have exited. But he remains here, and just last week, he locked his office without any explanation,” the source said.
He added that several directors are treading cautiously, fearing backlash if they raise their voices openly.
“This is the kind of thing that damages public confidence. The law is clear, but the lack of enforcement encourages impunity,” the official added.
According to other sources, a group of ministry staff had initially planned to stage a formal protest and petition the Minister of Aviation, expressing concerns over Kana’s continued stay.
However, the group reportedly went silent shortly after, fueling speculation that external influence or internal pressure may have scuttled the move.
It is believed that Kana is lobbying politically connected figures to secure a tenure extension from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, a move that would require presidential approval under extant regulations.
When contacted for clarification, Seyi Oduntan, the Ministry’s Deputy Director of Press, downplayed the controversy, describing it as mere rumor.
“The Permanent Secretary informed the Ministry and is currently on a casual leave,” Oduntan said, insisting there was no tension.
However, in a surprising contradiction, speaking to this newspaper via telephone, Kana himself dismissed the claims of leave entirely, stating: “I am at work. Those peddling these rumors are jobless people.”
His rebuttal has deepened confusion over the actual status of his tenure and raised further concerns about transparency and protocol adherence within the Ministry.
A another official from the Head Of Service Office, who pleaded anonymity told News Point Nigeria that the unfolding drama reflects broader problems of governance and accountability within Nigeria’s civil service.
“What is playing out is symptomatic of how institutional norms are often bent for individuals who have political backing. The law must be applied evenly, regardless of who is involved,” she said.
Dr. Kana, a medical doctor by training, is widely regarded as one of the youngest Permanent Secretaries in Nigeria’s history.
He was appointed to the position in 2021 during the Buhari administration and became one of just five elite officers at the apex of Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service at the time.
His tenure has been marked by reforms in health and aviation policy coordination, but critics say his current actions risk overshadowing his professional contributions.
With President Bola Tinubu’s administration emphasizing public sector reform and accountability, many observers are waiting to see whether action will be taken to resolve the impasse in the Ministry.