In a major reshuffle aimed at fortifying governance, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the current National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former two-term Governor of Kano State, as Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)
The announcement, delivered by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, marks one of 42 high-profile board chairmanships that took immediate effect
Ganduje, who governed Kano from 2015 to 2023 and then ascended to the APC’s national leadership in August 2023, now takes the helm of the agency responsible for the management and rehabilitation of Nigeria’s airports . The president’s directive clarified that these roles are strictly non-executive—serving to guide without meddling in day-to-day operations of their respective agencies
Already, Ganduje has demonstrated his commitment to the role: on February 18, 2025, he conducted his maiden official visit to FAAN’s headquarters, touring the operations at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos alongside FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku, who provided a performance overview of the authority’s directorates
The tour included assessments of infrastructure enhancements and ongoing projects designed to elevate airport standards in Nigeria.
The aviation sector has welcomed these developments, though stakeholders are closely watching for the full lineup of FAAN board members. Having a complete board is seen as crucial to balancing Ganduje’s political stature with professional expertise
Industry voices stress the need for a blend of technocrats and seasoned officials to ensure effective oversight.
As Ganduje steps into this dual role, continuing to steer the APC while now influencing aviation policy, many expect his wealth of administrative experience, from Kano’s infrastructure drive to national political leadership, to catalyse a turnaround in FAAN’s operations. Others, however, advise measured observation, reminding Nigerians that the full composition and conduct of the board will ultimately determine whether this appointment translates into real progress or remains a mere political realignment.
