By Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice
Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, widely regarded as Nigeria’s “super permanent secretary,” has been redeployed to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development after an impactful three-year tenure at the Ministry of Defense. Known for his innovative approach to bureaucratic governance, Dr. Kana earned the moniker “bureaucratic soldier” for his strategic reforms that have significantly repositioned the Defence Ministry.
During his tenure, Dr. Kana introduced transformative initiatives that reshaped the Ministry into a symbol of efficiency and innovation. Among his landmark achievements was the reorientation of civil servants’ work ethics, embedding a culture where excellence and accountability became the standard. His leadership also revitalized the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), turning it from a dormant entity into a productive hub for indigenous military technology and manufacturing.
Under Dr. Kana’s stewardship, the Ministry of Defense, became a model for service delivery, showcasing his ability to merge vision with execution. Under Dr. Kana’s watch, the famous Ship House was remodelled into a beautiful edifice, especially while approaching the Abuja Central Business District from the airport. He made the all the sanitary facilities into modern one. The work environment in the ministry was made very conducive with a 24-hour power supply and purified water dispensers from the installed reverse osmosis equipment. As a staff welfarist permanent secretary, he increased the fleet of busses and ensured functionality with trackers all installed. This is among many other transformative programmes and projects across the military establishments around the country, especially hospitals and schools.
His redeployment to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace is anticipated to bring similar waves of reform, particularly as Nigeria seeks to enhance its aviation sector and expand its presence in aerospace innovation.
Dr. Kana’s leadership style, marked by foresight and dedication, positions him as a critical asset in driving national development across diverse sectors. His new role is expected to further amplify his legacy as a transformative force in Nigeria’s public service.