By Milcah Tanimu
Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has announced plans to transform Maiduguri Airport into a regional cargo hub. The project aims to strengthen the economy of the north-east region.
Keyamo made the announcement during his visit to Maiduguri, Borno State, on Thursday, November 14. He was accompanied by top officials from the aviation sector, including Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); Farouk Umar, MD of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA); and Chris Najomo, DG of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The visit also included representatives from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
According to Tunde Moshood, Keyamo’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, the visit provided an opportunity to discuss the upcoming upgrade of the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport. The upgrade aims to make the airport fully operational by January 1, 2025, enhancing connectivity within the north-east and positioning Maiduguri as a hub for international travel and cargo.
Keyamo emphasized the project’s importance, noting that the upgraded airport would be the first fully operational international airport in the north-east. “With its world-class runway and state-of-the-art facilities, Maiduguri Airport will serve as a regional cargo hub and support the north-east economy and beyond,” he said.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum expressed his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for appointing Keyamo and praised the minister for his leadership and achievements in the aviation sector. Zulum reiterated the state government’s commitment to collaborating with the federal government to ensure the project’s successful launch on schedule.
Collaboration for Prosperity in the North-East
The visit highlighted the strong collaboration between the federal government and Borno State to promote economic growth and regional development. The airport upgrade will not only facilitate international travel but also boost trade and logistics, benefiting the wider north-east region.
Keyamo’s visit reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure, fostering national cohesion, and supporting economic prosperity across all regions.
