LAGOS—British  Airways has appointed Kola Olayinka  as first indigenous Country Manager in its over 70 years  of  operation  in Nigeria.

According to the airline, the  appointment  followed  an  extensive search spanning several months to find the best person for the job.

A  graduate  of  the  University  of  Lagos and the WITS Business School in Johannesburg,  South  Africa,  Olayinka  began  his  career  at the Gateway Television  in Abeokuta as a News reporter, and also had a brief stint with John Holt PLC where he rose to the position of Regional Sales Manager.

However  it  was  in  British  Airways  that  he  was  to  cut his teeth in management.  He has worked in different capacities within BA including, the UK  head  office  of the airline, as well as in Kenya, where he rose to the position   of   Area   Customer   Service   Manager,   East   Africa   with responsibilities   for   five  African  countries  namely,  Kenya,  Uganda, Tanzania, Seychelles and Mauritius.

Olayinka  returned  to  Nigeria  in 2002 to manage the Northern business of British  Airways  as  Regional  Manager, Northern Nigeria. It was under his watch  that  the Northern business of BA grew to be a daily service that is now enjoyed by the airline’s customers.