Barely two weeks after stepping down as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has been appointed Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The announcement was made on Tuesday during the formal inauguration of the newly constituted FAAN board held in Abuja. Ganduje, a two-term former governor of Kano State, now assumes a key federal role that places him at the helm of Nigeria’s airport infrastructure and aviation oversight.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelGanduje’s appointment is seen as a strategic redeployment following his abrupt resignation from the APC leadership on 27 June 2025, reportedly due to internal party tensions and growing pressure from key stakeholders. His exit came less than a year after he was appointed National Chairman in August 2023.
The new FAAN board, whose formation was earlier approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in January 2025, is expected to provide policy direction and governance oversight for Nigeria’s airports, amid ongoing efforts to modernize aviation infrastructure and improve operational efficiency.
Ganduje, a seasoned administrator with decades of public service experience, brings to the role a record of political leadership and institutional management. He is widely remembered for spearheading infrastructural projects during his tenure as Kano governor, though his time in office was also marred by allegations of corruption and party factionalism.
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Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), emphasized the importance of competent leadership in the aviation sector, citing the board’s mandate to reposition FAAN for greater transparency, efficiency, and global competitiveness.
Ganduje’s appointment has already sparked reactions within political and civic circles. While some see it as a reward for loyalty and an opportunity to bring administrative experience to bear on the aviation sector, others question the optics of the move, citing unresolved controversies from his previous roles.
With Nigeria’s aviation sector facing mounting pressure to meet international standards and ensure safer, more efficient air travel, observers say the performance of the new FAAN board under Ganduje’s leadership will be closely watched.
READ ALSO: How Tinubu’s Political Maneuvering With Kwankwaso Led To Ganduje’s Resignation As APC Chairman
FAAN manages operations at Nigeria’s over 20 commercial airports, including major international gateways in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Its board oversees policy formulation, regulatory compliance, and strategic partnerships in a sector considered critical to Nigeria’s economic growth and global connectivity.
Ganduje’s first task will be to align the board’s vision with the federal government’s aviation roadmap, while also addressing legacy issues such as infrastructure decay, service delivery bottlenecks, and airport concession controversies.
As he settles into his new role, questions linger about whether the former party boss can steer FAAN toward a future of reform and revitalization or whether political undertones will continue to cloud the agency’s leadership.
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