ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc has appointed legal practitioner Wolemi Esan (SAN) and Executive Director of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Dr Julius Omodayo-Owotuga, as Non-Executive Directors in a move aimed at strengthening its board with expertise in finance, corporate governance, infrastructure and commercial law.
The appointments were announced in a statement issued on Sunday by the company and signed by its Company Secretary, Bello Abdullahi.
According to the statement, the appointments took effect on July 1, 2026, following the retirement of former directors Akinwumi Godson Fanimokun and Taofeeq Oluwatoyin Salman.
The company also named Tajudeen Omoshola Shobayo as Vice Chairman, replacing Fanimokun, who retired after serving on the board for eight years.
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“The Board has approved the appointment of Mr. Wolemi Esan, SAN and Dr. Julius B. Omodayo-Owotuga as Non-Executive Directors to replace the retired Directors with effect from 1st July 2026. The Board also appointed Mr. Tajudeen Shobayo, FCA, an existing Non-Executive Director, as Vice Chairman to replace the retired Vice Chairman,” the statement read.
NAHCO said Fanimokun remains a significant shareholder in the company despite his retirement, adding that he stepped down from the board due to age considerations.
The company noted that Esan brings more than 20 years of experience advising corporations, financial institutions and government agencies on commercial disputes, arbitration, corporate governance, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, as well as infrastructure projects.
According to the statement, Esan has advised on several transportation and infrastructure transactions, including rail, port and airport concession projects, and has earned recognition from international legal ranking organisations such as Chambers Global, IFLR1000 and Legal 500.
The company added that Esan holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Lagos State University, a Master of Laws degree from University College London and a Master of Business Administration from Durham University.
On Omodayo-Owotuga, NAHCO said he joins the board with extensive experience in banking, infrastructure finance, energy, corporate governance and business transformation.
It added that he currently serves as an Executive Director at First Bank of Nigeria Limited and has previously occupied senior leadership positions across the financial and energy sectors.
The company also highlighted its recent financial performance, noting that shareholders approved the payment of N12.18bn in cash dividends and the distribution of 278.44 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each as bonus shares for the 2025 financial year at its Annual General Meeting.
The N12.18bn gross cash dividend represents an increase from the N11.58bn paid for the 2024 financial year, extending the company’s record of five consecutive years of dividend growth.
Shareholders received a dividend of N6.25 per share for the 2025 financial year, compared with N5.94 per share paid for the previous year.