The Federal Government has officially declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna, Niger State, an alternative to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The Minister of Aviation and Airspace Development, Festus Keyamo, made the announcement during the inaugural flight ceremony of Overland Airways at the airport.
According to him, ” Plans are on to deploy necessary measures like customs, immigration, police, NDLEA and others to process passengers if Abuja airport encounters problem. Enough of suppressing Niger State of it’s rightful place”.
The Minister commended Governor Mohammed Umar Bago for his political will in realizing the state’s vision for economic development,, particularly given its potential as an agricultural hub.
“The airport will serve as an agro-terminal, driving investment, job creation, and GDP growth”.
Governor Bago in his address highlighted that the airport sits on 3,000 hectares of land and the state has invested in various infrastructure projects, including fixing the airport terminal and runway.
” Additional projects include building a modern terminal with new facilities, an aviation estate with 500 housing units, a fuel dump, and a five-star Hilton hotel. Furthermore, 1,000 km of road construction is ongoing to support the airport’s operations. We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support to the state ”
He also disclosed that about 180 containers on a ship is being expected at the airport in Niger State as part of the activities at the airport, adding that the airport has all it takes to be developed like any other airport in the world.
Speaking, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi commended Governor Bago for his developmental efforts while hailing the aviation minister for notable improvement recorded in the sector.
He also noted, ” The prices of foodstuff is dropping gradually in the country following the strategic measures put in place by the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to ensure food security”.
The first Overland Airways Aircraft branded 5N-CCN, at took off 2 o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, 23rd April, 2025, flagged off by the State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago at the BAT International Airport Minna.