Falcon Aerospace Limited (Falcon Aero) has appointed former Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Folayele Akinkuotu, as Chairman of its Board of Directors, a move aimed at strengthening the company’s governance framework and supporting its expansion across Africa and international markets.
The appointment comes as the business aviation firm intensifies efforts to broaden its presence beyond West Africa, deepen cross-border operations, and attract strategic investment to support its long-term growth ambitions.
Captain Akinkuotu, a veteran pilot, aircraft engineer and aviation administrator with more than five decades of industry experience, brings extensive expertise in airline operations, regulation, airspace management and aviation training. Over the course of his career, he has accumulated more than 13,000 jet flying hours and held several high-profile leadership positions, including Director-General of the NCAA and Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
Commenting on his appointment, Akinkuotu described Falcon Aero as a company that has played a transformative role in Nigeria’s business aviation landscape and said he looks forward to helping drive its next phase of growth. He noted that improving connectivity across Africa remains critical to unlocking economic opportunities and enhancing mobility for businesses and governments across the continent.
Falcon Aero Chief Executive Officer, Erika Achum, said the appointment reflects the company’s strategic focus on building a stronger institutional foundation as it expands into new markets. According to her, Akinkuotu’s experience as a pilot, engineer and former regulator provides the leadership and industry insight required to support the company’s growth while maintaining the highest operational and regulatory standards.
Born in Ondo State, Akinkuotu began his aviation career at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, where he earned his Aircraft Engineer Maintenance Licence before advancing into professional piloting. He later obtained multiple aviation qualifications in the United States and the United Kingdom, including an Air Transport Pilot Licence and Type Rating Instructor certification.
His career has spanned leadership roles at Nigeria Airways, Kabo Airlines, Virgin Nigeria, ADC Airlines and IRS Airlines. He also served as Rector of the International Aviation College, Ilorin, contributing to the development of aviation professionals in Nigeria. Among the notable highlights of his flying career was piloting Pope John Paul II during the Pontiff’s visit to Nigeria in 1998.
Chief Operating Officer of Falcon Aero, Tejumade Salami, said the appointment comes at a crucial stage in the company’s evolution, adding that Akinkuotu’s leadership will help align Falcon Aero’s expansion plans with international regulatory standards while supporting broader industry development, regional connectivity and economic growth across Africa.
With the appointment, Falcon Aero is positioning itself to strengthen its role in Africa’s growing business aviation sector while pursuing new opportunities across the continent and beyond.
