April 23, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has declared the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, Niger State, as the alternative airport to the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made the declaration during the inauguration of commercial flight operations by Overland Airways from the Minna airport.
Speaking at the event, the Minister said the airport’s infrastructure and location make it suitable for handling significant aviation traffic.
He said, “The runway is an international runway; a 747 and a triple 7 can use this runway. Why over the years this has been underutilised is still a puzzle.
“Our eyes are on this airport. By the powers conferred on me, I declare Minna airport as the alternative to Abuja Airport.
The airport, located about 150 kilometres from Abuja, was recently renamed in March 2024, from Abubakar Imam International Airport to Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport. The change was part of a wider federal initiative to rename key infrastructure after prominent Nigerians.
According to Keyamo, the designation is expected to relieve pressure on Abuja’s airport during periods of high traffic or maintenance.
He also noted that the development could contribute to increased economic activity in the North-Central region, improving logistics, trade, and tourism.
Overland Airways became the first commercial airline to operate from the airport since its upgrade.
Speaking at the inaugural flight of Overland Airways into the newly upgraded airport, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, and the Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways, Captain Edward Boyo, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his Renewed Hope Agenda, which they said is driving significant transformation in Nigeria’s aviation sector through vital infrastructure upgrades and strategic government partnerships.
They particularly applauded the President for promoting effective collaboration between state and federal governments, which led to the successful completion and commissioning of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna, now fully operational for commercial flights.
Governor Bago expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the state’s request to revamp the Minna Airport with state-of-the-art facilities and name it in his honour.
He said it reflects the federal government’s strong commitment to using aviation as a driver of economic growth.
Bago added that Niger State is pursuing an ambitious vision to develop an Airport City, equipped with purpose-built infrastructure to support long-term economic and transport goals.
He said, “We thank our father, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the support that has encouraged us to fix the airport, which is now functional to attract investors and economic development to our state.
“We intend to establish an aircraft, repair centre and other facilities that will drive development in the state.”
On his part, Boyo lauded Tinubu for the strides in the aviation industry, describing airline connectivity as the catalyst to drive economic transformation.
Boyo said, “The launch of this flight services from Minna to Lagos and Abuja is the beginning of restoration of important air connectivity to Minna and its environs and we count on your support to sustain this flight services. The Governor has great plans and we hail and admire his ambition.
“Overland Airways is ready. We have deployed on this route our brand new Embraer E-175 aircraft, which features Premium and Economy cabins. This is the latest technology in aviation and we assure you of our excellent services and courteous staff.
“We express our profound gratitude to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his Renewed Hope Agenda which has reflected greatly in the aviation sector.
“We thank the Executive Governor of Niger State, His Excellency, Farmer Governor, Business Governor, Progress Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for this opportunity. What the administration of His Excellency is doing today by ushering Overland Airways into Minna will be remembered and appreciated in the years to come for the prosperity it will bring to the lives of the people.
“We thank the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Barrister Festus Keyamo, for his unwavering support to the airline sector in Nigeria.
“Aviation is not an end in itself, it is a means to an end. What we are witnessing today is not only about air connectivity, it is about opening up the economy of Niger State and offering opportunities for trade, investment, agriculture and other sectors of the economy with the outside world, to explore business opportunities in this State.
“There is a saying that “a kilometre of road takes you nowhere but a kilometre runway can take you all over the world”. This direct flight services from Minna to Abuja and Lagos will ensure that citizens of Niger State can fly to any part of the world through onward connections from Abuja and Lagos.
“At Overland Airways, we have pioneered and perfected air transport on many routes in Nigeria and even beyond, helping to improve the quality of lives in these destinations. This is our ambition for Niger State, to help bring investors to harness the opportunities in this state. This State hosts many hydroelectric power dams, and many agricultural opportunities that Nigeria and the outside world need.”
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