Shehu Usman Iyal

Shehu Iyal is a 1977 graduate of the School of Basic Studies, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. He also attended Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria (formerly Nigerian Civil Aviation Training Centre, Zaria) in 1982 and was sponsored by the college to Rogers Aviation, Bedford, in the United Kingdom where he obtained Assistant Flying Instructor Rating (Procedures) in 1982. He subsequently left to the Air Wing of the Nigeria Police Force. He is an alumnus of London Business School, where he studied Aviation Management.

Captain Shehu holds a Commercial Pilot License and Private Pilot License which has culminated in an extensive flying experience of over 3000 hours including fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. He started his career at the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria from where he joined the Air Wing of the Nigerian Police Force. He undertook various trainings in both rotary (helicopters) and fixed wing (airplanes) in America and Europe and was subsequently appointed as pioneer Commander of Air Border Patrol Unit, Kaduna of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in 1987.

After his graduation from London Business School, he was seconded to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in the Presidency. Shehu is currently the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AFRI-AIR international Ltd, a Charter /Aviation Handling Company and also offers Aviation Consultancy Services, which he started in 2001.

In recognition of his exemplary contribution to the aviation industry, he was appointed Special Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Aviation Matters where he rose to the post of Senior Special Assistant in 2003 and subsequently served two (2) successive Nigerian Presidents during which time he was Chairman, Presidential Implementation and Monitoring Committee (PIMC), Hub development of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and Presidential Committee on Improvement of Airport Security and Drug Related Problems.

He was also a Board Member of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and Chairperson of its Aviation Committee.