Airports Authority Chair Ganduje Seeks Innovations To Strengthen Aviation Sector

Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr Abdullah Ganduje has called for adaptation to innovation to strengthen the aviation sector.

Ganduje made the call while addressing participants at the four-day FAAN Board and Stakeholders Retreat in Abuja, stressing the need for continuous evolution, innovation, and collaboration to ensure long-term resilience, efficiency, and global relevance.

According to him, “We must continuously evolve, anticipate emerging trends and adopt innovative approaches that ensure long-term resilience, efficiency, and global relevance.”

The former governor of Kano State and immediate past chairman of the ruling All Progressives Party (APC), also called on stakeholders to renew their collective commitment to strengthening the aviation sector and preparing it for the future.

He emphasised the need for stakeholders to work together to build a modern, efficient, and innovative Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) that is financially sustainable and globally competitive.

Also, in her opening remarks at the retreat, the managing director and chief executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Olubunmi Kuku, highlighted three key pillars for the authority’s future: Leadership, Modernisation, and Strategic Renewal.

“I want to reaffirm that FAAN, under my leadership, operates on a clear, open-door policy,” she said, adding that this approach fosters innovation, transparency, and collaborative problem-solving.

Kuku emphasised the importance of enhancing infrastructure, ensuring all airports are safe, secure, and welcoming, noting that “We must ensure that all our airports are safe, secure, and welcoming spaces for our many guests, who are the reason for our existence.”

She expressed her appreciation to the Board Chairman, Umar Ganduje, and members of the Board for their dedication and guidance. “Your presence here signifies a shared determination to steer this Authority toward its full potential,” she said.

Also speaking, representative of the minister of aviation and aerospace development and the permanent secretary, Dr Yakubu Adam Kafarmata, while declaring the retreat open, expressed optimism for the programme, stating: “May your deliberations be productive, and your outcomes transformative for FAAN, for the aviation sector, and for Nigeria.”