In a strategic move aimed at expanding Nigeria’s aviation capacity and boosting regional connectivity, the Federal Government has officially designated the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna, Niger State, as the alternative airport to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during the official launch of commercial flight operations by Overland Airways from the newly renamed Minna airport.
Speaking at the event, Keyamo praised the airport’s infrastructure, location, and untapped potential, asserting that it meets the standards of any modern international airport worldwide.
“This facility has everything—an international-grade runway, strategic location, and the ambience to handle large-scale aviation traffic,” Keyamo said. “A Boeing 747 or a triple seven can land here without issue. The fact that this airport has remained underutilized for so long is baffling.”
He continued, “With the authority vested in me as Minister of Aviation, I hereby declare the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, as the official alternative to Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. I direct the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to take immediate note and commence necessary coordination.”
This announcement comes just weeks after the airport was renamed in honor of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, replacing its earlier designation as Abubakar Imam International Airport—a change made during a broader federal initiative to rename key infrastructure after notable Nigerians in March 2024.
Located just under 150 kilometers from Abuja, the Minna airport is seen as a strategic asset capable of easing traffic and providing a critical alternative in emergencies or during maintenance works at the Abuja airport. It is also expected to stimulate economic activity in the North-Central region, enhancing logistics, tourism, and trade.
Industry analysts believe the move reflects a broader effort by the Tinubu administration to decentralize Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure, promote regional development, and reduce over-reliance on a few major airports.
Overland Airways became the first commercial carrier to operate flights from the revitalized airport, marking the beginning of what stakeholders hope will be a new chapter in domestic and regional aviation.
“This is not just an airport,” Keyamo remarked. “It’s a symbol of new beginnings—for Minna, for Niger State, and for Nigeria’s aviation future.”
With its new designation, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport is expected to see increased federal investment in navigation aids, passenger terminals, and cargo handling capacity. The Ministry of Aviation also hinted at plans to attract international carriers and cargo operators to the airport in the near future.
Keyamo concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s aviation landscape into a globally competitive sector.
“Our vision is to create a robust, resilient, and regionally balanced aviation system. Minna is now officially part of that future.”
