In a swift political transition, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has been inaugurated as Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). This development comes just days after his resignation from the APC leadership on June 27, 2025, citing personal reasons.
The formal inauguration was held on July 9 in Abuja and presided over by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. Ganduje’s appointment was initially approved in January 2025 by President Bola Tinubu, but it has now been officially activated with the full board’s swearing-in.
During the inauguration ceremony, Keyamo charged Ganduje and other board members to prioritise transparency, oversight, and institutional reform within FAAN. He emphasised the strategic importance of Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure and the need for competent leadership to address sectoral challenges.
Other members of the newly constituted board include FAAN’s Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku, Dorothy Duruaka, Ahmed Ibrahim Suleiman, Nasiru Muazu, Omozojie Okoboh, TP Vembe, and board secretary Bridget Gold.
Ganduje’s appointment to this prominent federal role so soon after stepping down from party leadership has sparked discussions on his continued influence in national affairs. As a former governor of Kano State and a seasoned political figure, his new role is seen as a continuation of his public service journey, albeit outside partisan leadership.
Despite resigning from the APC leadership amid mounting internal pressures and political realignments, Ganduje’s swift redeployment to a key federal position suggests he remains a trusted figure within President Tinubu’s administration.
Political analysts note that his experience in governance and administration could prove valuable in enhancing Nigeria’s airport operations and improving service delivery across the aviation sector.
The NDLEA and DSS, in recent weeks, have ramped up enforcement across various sectors, including transport, in a broader bid to enhance national security. With Ganduje now at the helm of FAAN’s board, expectations are high for reforms, efficiency, and improved regulatory oversight in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
