NAHCO Board Appoints Wolemi Esan, Julius Omadoye-Awotuga as Directors

Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc has appointed legal expert Wolemi Esan (SAN), and FirstBank Executive Director, Dr. Julius B. Omodayo-Owotuga, as non-executive directors, strengthening its board with expertise in finance, governance, infrastructure and corporate law.

The appointments were disclosed in a regulatory filing signed by Company Secretary, Bello A. Abdullahi.

Both appointments took effect on July 1, 2026, following the retirement of former directors Akinwumi Godson Fanimokun and Taofeeq Oluwatoyin Salman, according to the company.

In the filing, NAHCO stated that its board approved the appointments of Esan and Omodayo-Owotuga as non-executive directors to fill the vacancies created by the retirements.

The company also announced the appointment of Tajudeen Omoshola Shobayo as Vice-Chairman, succeeding Fanimokun, who retired after eight years of service on the board.

“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 Omoshola Shobayo, an existing non-executive director, as vice-chairman to replace the retired vice-chairman,” the company stated.

NAHCO added that Fanimokun remains a significant shareholder in the company despite his retirement, which was attributed to age considerations.

Esan Adds Legal And Governance Depth

Esan is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with more than two decades of experience advising corporations, financial institutions, and government agencies on commercial disputes, arbitration, corporate governance, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and infrastructure projects.

He has advised on several landmark transportation and infrastructure transactions, including rail, port, and airport concession projects, and is widely recognised by international legal rankings such as Chambers Global, IFLR1000, and Legal 500.

His academic credentials include an LL.B from Lagos State University, an LL.M from University College London, and an MBA from Durham University.

Omodayo-Owotuga joins the board with extensive experience spanning banking, infrastructure finance, energy, governance, and corporate transformation.

He currently serves as Executive Director at First Bank of Nigeria Limited and has previously held senior leadership positions across the financial and energy sectors.