Tinubu appoints Ganduje, Kekemeke, Abe, Afikuyomi, others Board chairpersons

President Bola Tinubu has announced the appointment of board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations, alongside a secretary for the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services Board.
Among the appointees is Dr. Abdullahi U. Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who now chairs the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Similarly, APC National Secretary, Senator Bashiru Ajibola, has been named Chairman of the National Sugar Development Council.
Other prominent figures include Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, who assumes the role of Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, and Senator Magnus Abe, who now chairs the National Agency for Great Green Wall.
The appointments also encompass key positions such as a new Managing Director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and a Director-General for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).
In a statement issued on Friday, January 24, 2025, by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu directed the appointees to maintain a non-executive role and avoid interference in the day-to-day management of their respective organisations. All appointments take immediate effect.
Complete List of Appointments:
- National Youth Service Corps (Ministry of Youth Development): Hon. Hillard Eta – Chairman (Cross River)
- Nigerian Institute of International Affairs: Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi – Chairman (Lagos)
- Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (Ministry of Aviation): H.E. Abdullahi U. Ganduje – Chairman (Kano)
- National Sugar Development Council: Sen. Surajudeen Bashiru Ajibola – Chairman (Osun)
- Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company: H.E. Sulaiman Argungu – Chairman (Kebbi)
- National Agency for Great Green Wall: Sen. Magnus Abe – Chairman (Rivers)
- National Teachers Institute: Barr. Festus Fuanter – Chairman (Plateau)
- National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI): Raji, Kazeem Kolawole – Director-General (Oyo)
- Nigerian Institute of Educational Planning and Administration: Chief Victor Tombari Giadom – Chairman (Rivers)
- Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria: Comrade Mustapha Salihu – Chairman (Adamawa)
- Industrial Training Fund: Hon. Hamma Adama Ali Kumo – Chairman (Gombe)
- Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology: Donatus Enyinnah Nwankpa – Chairman (Abia)
- Sheda Science and Technology Complex: Sen. Abubakar Maikafi – Chairman (Bauchi)
- Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria: H.E. Nasiru Gawuna – Chairman (Kano)
- National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion: Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi – Chairman (Lagos)
- Nigerian Postal Service: Chief D.J. Kekemeke – Chairman (Ondo)
- National Inland Waterways Authority: Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar – Chairman (Sokoto)
- National Steel Council: Prof. Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar – Chairman (Nasarawa)
- National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency: Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad – Chairman (Kaduna)
- National Bio-Safety Management Agency: Mu’azu Bawa Rijau – Chairman (Niger)
Health Sector Appointments:
- Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe: Hajia Zainab A. Ibrahim – Chairman (Taraba)
- Nigerian Railway Corporation: Dr. Kayode Isiak Opeifa – Managing Director (Lagos)
- Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti: Aare (Hon.) Durotolu Oyebode Bankole – Chairman (Ogun)
- Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta: Mr. Abdullahi Dayo Israel – Chairman (Lagos)
- Federal Medical Centre, Asaba: Dr. Mrs. Mary Alile Idele – Chairman (Edo)
- Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja: Nze Chidi Duru (OON) – Chairman (Anambra)
- Federal Medical Centre, Owerri: Hon. Emma Eneukwu – Chairman (Enugu)
- Civil Defence, Immigration and Prisons Services Board: Major Gen. Jubril Abdulmalik (Rtd) – Secretary (Kano)
- Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia: Mr. Uguru Mathew Ofoke – Chairman (Ebonyi)
Additional Appointments:
- Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa: Barr. Felix Chukwumenoye Morka – Chairman (Delta)
- Federal Medical Centre, Yola: Alh. Bashir Usman Gumel – Chairman (Jigawa)
- David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, Ubuhu, Ebonyi State: Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu – Chairman (Imo)
- National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency: Chief Edward Omo-Erewa – Chairman (Edo)
- Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA): Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar – Chairman (Kaduna)
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State: Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori – Chairman (Borno)
President Tinubu’s appointments underscore his administration’s effort to place trusted hands at the helm of federal organisations.