Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the immediate past National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was on Wednesday inaugurated as the Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The inauguration ceremony, held in Abuja, was performed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN).
The event also saw the inauguration of seven other distinguished individuals representing key ministries and aviation agencies, including Engr. T P Vembe, Director of Aerodrome Development at FAAN and Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, the Managing Director/CEO of FAAN.
Also inaugurated are Mrs Dorothy Duruak, Director of International Tourism Relations and Cooperation at the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy; Ahmed Ibrahim Suleiman, Director of Air Force Affairs at the Ministry of Defence; and Engr Nasiru Muazu, Dean of the Air Traffic Service and Communication School at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology.
Equally, Dr. Omozojie Okoboh, Chief State Counsel at the Federal Ministry of Justice, serving as Board Secretary (Legal), and Mrs Bridget Gold, Director of Legal Services at FAAN, acting as Legal Adviser, were also inaugurated.
In his remarks, Keyamo described the occasion as a critical step toward repositioning Nigeria’s aviation industry.
He said: “This occasion marks not just a change in leadership, but a renewed commitment to service, safety, and progress in our aviation sector. As we inaugurate this new board, we carry the weight of national expectation to build world-class aviation infrastructure and foster socio-economic development.”
While welcoming Ganduje to the new role, Keyamo expressed optimism that the new chairman’s experience and influence would bring renewed efficiency to the operations of FAAN.
He also humorously noted that Ganduje’s appointment would ease the pressure on funding conversations, saying, “He will just press one button, and money will come out.”
In his acceptance speech, Ganduje thanked President Bola Tinubu for entrusting him with the role and pledged to provide purposeful leadership in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration.
He said: “We will study the FAAN Act carefully to operate within our legal boundaries and avoid conflicts between the board, executive management, and the ministry.
“We are committed to enhancing service delivery, ensuring regulatory compliance, maintaining infrastructure functionality, and projecting a positive national image through our airports.”
Ganduje highlighted the importance of attitude change among stakeholders and promised that the board would prioritise passenger satisfaction and international best practices.
Also speaking, Kuku said the board’s inauguration marks a new chapter of collaboration and strategic growth for the authority.
“With this calibre of leadership, I am confident that we will improve passenger experience and strengthen institutional governance. The work we do will speak for itself,” she said.
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