Barely days after stepping down as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has been appointed and inaugurated as the Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The inauguration ceremony, held in Abuja, was presided over by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who also inducted seven other members into the newly reconstituted board.
A New Era for Nigeria’s Aviation Sector
In his address, Minister Keyamo described the occasion as a significant moment in the administration’s broader agenda to reposition the aviation industry.
“This occasion marks not just a change in leadership but a renewed commitment to service, safety, and progress in our aviation sector,” said Keyamo. “As we inaugurate this board, we bear the national expectation to build world-class aviation infrastructure and drive socio-economic development.”
Welcoming Ganduje to his new role, the minister humorously remarked that his experience and political stature would ease funding constraints:
“He will just press one button, and money will come out.”
Ganduje Pledges Reform and Efficiency
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Ganduje expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity, pledging to deliver purposeful leadership aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
“We will study the FAAN Act carefully to operate within legal boundaries and avoid conflicts with executive management and the ministry,” Ganduje said.
He emphasized attitudinal change, service delivery, regulatory compliance, and passenger satisfaction as the core focus areas of the new board.
“Our goal is to maintain infrastructure functionality and project a positive national image through our airports,” he added.
FAAN CEO: ‘A New Chapter of Collaboration’
Also speaking at the event, FAAN Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, expressed optimism about the future of the agency under the new board’s leadership.
“This inauguration marks a new chapter of collaboration and strategic growth. With this calibre of leadership, I am confident that we will improve the passenger experience and strengthen institutional governance.”
Full List of Inaugurated FAAN Board Members
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Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje – Chairman of the Board
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Engr. T. P. Vembe – Director, Aerodrome Development Dept., Ministry of Aviation – Member
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Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku – Managing Director/CEO, FAAN – Member
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Ms. Dorothy Duruak – Director, International Tourism Relations, Ministry of Tourism – Member
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Ahmed Ibrahim Suleiman – Director, Air Force Affairs, Ministry of Defence – Member
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Engr. Nasiru Muazu – Dean, Air Traffic Service School, NCAT – Member
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Dr. Omozojie Okoboh – Chief State Counsel, Ministry of Justice – Board Secretary
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Mrs. Bridget Gold – Director, Legal Services, FAAN – Legal Adviser
