The appointment of Mr. Bankole Bernard, Group Managing Director of Finchglow Holdings, as Chairman of the Cargo Accounts Settlement Systems (CASS) Nigeria Local Consultative Council (LCC) have been applauded by stakeholders who described it as both timely and transformative.
With this, the Nigeria’s aviation and cargo settlement ecosystem enters a new phase of strategic leadership geared towards long-term stability.
The appointment was formally confirmed by the CASS Directorate in an official statement to industry stakeholders.
CASS Nigeria plays a vital role in the country’s aviation value chain. Through its Local Consultative Council (LCC), the system provides the financial backbone that ensures transparent, accurate, and efficient settlement of accounts between airlines, logistics operators, and cargo partners. With the sector increasingly dependent on digital accuracy, trust, and operational coordination, the LCC’s leadership has become more important than ever.
Bernard’s emergence as Chairman comes at a decisive moment for the industry. His appointment is widely seen as a strategic move to strengthen systemic efficiency, deepen collaboration, and steer the cargo settlement architecture toward global best practices.
Industry observers noted that Bernard brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in aviation governance. Prior to this role, he served as Chairman of the Agency Programme Joint Council (APJC), where he worked extensively with regional and international partners to enhance commercial processes, promote transparency, and elevate airline–agency relations. His stewardship, according to stakeholders, contributed significantly to “shaping policy conversations and building confidence in Nigeria’s aviation commercial framework”.
With his deep knowledge of travel management, airline operations, and regulatory engagement, Bernard is expected to drive initiatives that will modernise the CASS framework and advance a more resilient cargo settlement system. He is also anticipated to leverage stakeholder partnerships to strengthen accountability, enhance data integrity, and promote innovations that will align Nigeria with global cargo settlement standards.
As Chairman, Bernard will work closely with airlines, regulators, logistics operators, and financial settlement partners to push forward reforms aimed at improving operational fluidity and transparency. His leadership, according to industry insiders, marks a continuation of the stability and progress he championed in previous roles—a transition that promises strategic continuity for Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.
Sector players have welcomed the appointment with optimism, describing it as timely and transformative. Many believed Bernard’s leadership will play a crucial role in reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a key aviation and cargo hub in West Africa.
As CASS Nigeria enters this new chapter, the aviation community remains confident that Bernard’s stewardship will help “strengthen the settlement ecosystem, deepen collaboration, and secure long-term stability for the industry”.