Days after APC exit, Ganduje appointed chairman of FAAN Board

Just days after resigning as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The announcement was made during the formal inauguration ceremony of the newly reconstituted FAAN Board held in Abuja.

The event, attended by aviation stakeholders and top government officials, marked a new phase for the agency tasked with managing Nigeria’s airport infrastructure and operations.

Ganduje’s appointment comes on the heels of his resignation from the APC’s top post last week, a position he held since August 2023. In his resignation letter, Ganduje cited “urgent and personal matters” as his reason for stepping down.

His successor, Ali Bukar Dalori, was swiftly named and has since assumed duties as the new APC National Chairman.

The rapid transition from party leadership to a federal board appointment has reignited public discourse on Ganduje’s enduring relevance in Nigeria’s political and governance landscape.

Critics and supporters alike have weighed in on the speed of his redeployment, with some interpreting it as a sign of continued confidence in his experience, particularly from those in the corridors of power.

READ ALSO: No cause for alarm over Ganduje’s resignation – APC Chieftain

Ganduje, who previously served two terms as Governor of Kano State (2015–2023), is widely regarded as a political heavyweight with strong ties within the ruling party and federal establishment.

His new role at FAAN will see him help steer policy and oversight for one of the country’s most strategic parastatals in the aviation sector.

FAAN, responsible for the development and maintenance of Nigeria’s airports, is currently undergoing reform efforts aimed at improving safety, efficiency, and infrastructure quality across the nation’s aviation facilities.

Analysts note that Ganduje’s appointment could bring political clout and administrative experience to FAAN’s leadership, particularly as the federal government seeks to expand public-private partnerships and attract more investment in the aviation sector.