The Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) has called on the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to urgently constitute and inaugurate governing boards for all aviation agencies to strengthen accountability and combat corruption within the sector.

ANAP’s General Secretary, AbdulRasaq Saidu, made the appeal over the weekend during a media briefing in Lagos.

While acknowledging the recent inauguration of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) board by Keyamo—six months after its members were appointed by President Bola Tinubu—Saidu urged the minister not to stop there. He emphasized the need for similar action across all aviation parastatals.

Dr. Umar Ganduje was named chairman of the FAAN board, with FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku serving as vice-chairperson. Other members include representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Defence, Tourism, and Aviation, as well as professionals from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology and FAAN’s legal department.

Saidu praised the move as a step in the right direction but stressed that broader reforms are necessary. He warned that delays in constituting boards for other agencies leave room for systemic abuses, including unauthorized contracts, irregular hiring, and poor oversight.

“The absence of these boards contravenes the statutory Acts that established the agencies,” Saidu stated. “Only properly constituted boards can ensure discipline, enforce due process, and provide essential oversight to curb corruption.”

He further noted that aviation unions, including ANAP, have long voiced concerns over governance lapses and the lack of transparency in the sector.

Saidu also urged President Tinubu to expedite the appointment of board members across all aviation agencies to enhance operational integrity and safety standards.

In a sharp critique of past leadership, Saidu condemned former Aviation Minister Senator Hadi Sirika for failing to inaugurate any agency boards during his eight years in office, despite appointments being approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“ANAP raised repeated alarms during Sirika’s tenure, but nothing was done. Unfortunately, that neglect has continued into the current administration and must be corrected immediately,” he added.

He concluded that the prolonged absence of oversight boards has allowed critical decisions—particularly regarding staffing and contracts—to bypass due process, thereby fostering corruption and inefficiency in the aviation industry.