Corporate leaders, media veterans and communications professionals across West Africa have congratulated Dr. Ejike Ndiulo on his appointment to the faculty of Covenant University, Ota, describing the move as a major boost to business education and strategic communications in Nigeria.

Dr. Ndiulo’s transition into academia follows a distinguished career spanning more than two decades in journalism, public relations, marketing and corporate communications, where he built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading communications strategists.

His appointment comes shortly after earning a PhD in Strategic Marketing Management from Babcock University, a milestone colleagues say further strengthens his credentials to combine academic research with practical industry experience.

Industry stakeholders noted that throughout his career, Dr. Ndiulo consistently championed the integration of communications professionals into executive decision-making, arguing that public relations should be recognised as a strategic management function rather than merely a crisis response tool.

Before joining Covenant University, he served as Chief Thinker at Henryjvaleens Limited, where he advised corporate organisations on brand development, market penetration, reputation management and business growth strategies.

He also previously headed Corporate Communications at Air Peace Limited, where he led brand-building initiatives and investor communication programmes. Earlier, he spent about a decade as Head of Corporate Communications at Fidelity Bank Plc, overseeing major marketing and corporate communication portfolios.

A professional colleague described Dr. Ndiulo as a long-standing advocate for strategic communication, saying his contributions have helped reshape how organisations perceive the role of public relations in corporate governance.

His career also includes appointments as Business Development Representative for the BBC World Service and Special Projects Manager for the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce (DIHK), in addition to his earlier years as an award-winning Senior Financial Correspondent with ThisDay Newspapers.

Dr. Ndiulo is a recipient of the Nigeria Media Merit Awards’ Insurance Reporter of the Year and was also runner-up for Financial Reporter of the Year.

He is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (formerly APCON), and the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN).

Stakeholders expressed confidence that his wealth of experience in corporate leadership, strategic marketing and communications will enrich teaching and research at Covenant University while equipping students with practical insights into modern business leadership.

A senior media executive described the appointment as a significant gain for the university, saying Dr. Ndiulo’s blend of academic excellence and executive experience would have a lasting impact on future business and communications professionals.

The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO Aviance) has strengthened its corporate governance structure with the appointment of two new non-executive directors and the elevation of an existing board member as Vice Chairman following changes in its board composition.

The company announced the appointment of renowned legal practitioner, Mr. Wolemi Esan, SAN, and finance and corporate governance expert, Dr. Julius B. Omodayo-Owotuga, as Non-Executive Directors.

The appointments followed the retirement of Mr. Akinwumi Godson Fanimokun, Independent Non-Executive Director and Vice Chairman, and Mr. Taofeeq Oluwatoyin Salman, Non-Executive Director, after eight years of service on the board.

The changes were disclosed in a notice filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and signed by the Company Secretary, Mr. Bello A. Abdullahi.

According to the company, Fanimokun’s retirement took effect from June 15, 2026, while Salman’s retirement became effective on June 30, 2026.

The statement noted that Fanimokun, despite leaving the board on account of age, remains a substantial shareholder in the company.

NAHCO said the appointment of Esan and Omodayo-Owotuga brings to its board decades of experience spanning law, corporate governance, finance, infrastructure, banking and strategic business management.

Esan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has built a distinguished legal career spanning more than 20 years, advising leading corporations, financial institutions and government agencies on commercial litigation, arbitration, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, infrastructure development and regulatory compliance.

He has also played advisory roles in major transportation and infrastructure projects, including rail, port and airport concession transactions, while providing strategic corporate governance support to boards and executive management.

His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Laws degree from Lagos State University, a Bachelor of Law qualification from the Nigerian Law School, a Master of Laws degree from University College London as a Jeremy Bentham Scholar, and an MBA from Durham University.

The second appointee, Dr. Omodayo-Owotuga, is an accomplished finance executive with extensive experience across Nigeria’s power, oil and gas, banking and financial services sectors.

He currently serves as Executive Director of First Bank of Nigeria Limited and previously held key leadership positions at Geregu Power Plc, Forte Oil Plc (now Ardova Plc), Africa Finance Corporation, Standard Chartered Bank and KPMG.

The company said his experience includes corporate transformation, capital raising, infrastructure finance, governance reforms, financial reporting and risk management.

He also serves on the board of Quant Investment Managers and holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Oxford Saïd Business School, an MBA with distinction from IE Business School, and a degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos, alongside several professional fellowships.

In a related development, the company announced the appointment of Mr. Tajudeen Omoshola Shobayo, FCA, an existing Non-Executive Director, as Vice Chairman of the Board with effect from July 1, 2026.

Shobayo succeeds Fanimokun and is expected to support the board in advancing NAHCO’s strategic growth and corporate governance objectives.

United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has announced the appointment of Professor Madubuko Tochukwu Victor as a Director on its Board, effective January 1, 2026, in a move aimed at strengthening corporate governance and supporting the airline’s strategic growth agenda.

The appointment was approved at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the airline held on December 30, 2025, and underscores UNA’s commitment to deepening leadership capacity as it expands its operations within Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Prof. Madubuko is a globally experienced executive with over two decades of professional expertise spanning entrepreneurship, international business, education, and public service.

He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Chilanna Holdings LLC, Miami, and is the Chairman of The Moonshine Contractors Limited. He is also the Managing Partner of CareerNation, a United States–based human capital consulting firm with operations across several states.

His academic credentials include a Master’s degree in Management from The New School, USA, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Law from the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia.

Prof. Madubuko is also a certified Senior Human Resources Professional (SHRM-SCP) and a Registered Organization Development Consultant, bringing strong organizational leadership and cross-cultural expertise to the airline’s Board.

Speaking on the appointment, United Nigeria Airlines said the decision aligns with its long-term vision of building a resilient governance structure capable of supporting operational excellence and sustainable expansion.

“In our continued efforts to strengthen our corporate governance framework and broaden the membership of our Board in line with our strategic expansion programme, we are pleased to welcome Prof. Madubuko to the Board of United Nigeria Airlines,” the airline said. “His breadth of experience, leadership depth, and proven track record in driving transformation make him a valuable addition to the UNA leadership.”

Accepting the appointment, Prof. Madubuko expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve.

“I am deeply honored to join the Board of United Nigeria Airlines. I look forward to working collaboratively with the Board and Management to contribute to the airline’s continued growth, operational excellence, and strategic vision,” he said.

United Nigeria Airlines continues to position itself as a key player in Nigeria’s domestic aviation market, with ongoing investments in governance, fleet growth, and service delivery.