The Federal Government has commenced flight operations at the newly reconstructed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna, Niger State, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure.
The launch ceremony, held on Wednesday, was officiated by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who described the airport as a critical backup to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Keyamo emphasised that the new facility would play a vital role in managing traffic and mitigating disruptions at the nation’s capital airport.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the government is in the final stages of deploying key regulatory and security agencies—such as Customs, Immigration, Police, and the NDLEA—to the Minna facility to ensure efficient passenger and cargo processing.
“The Federal Government has inaugurated flight operations of Overland Airways at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna, Niger state.
“Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Airspace Development, inaugurated the flight operation in Minna on Wednesday. He said that the newly reconstructed airport would be an alternative to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,” the NAN report read in part.
Keyamo also commended Niger State Governor Umaru Bago for his unwavering political support, stating that the airport would stimulate investment, generate employment, and bolster the state’s GDP—particularly through agriculture-related activities.
In his address, Governor Bago extended gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for backing the project. He revealed that the airport spans 3,000 hectares and is currently undergoing significant upgrades. These include the renovation of the terminal and runway, the construction of a modern terminal building, and the development of a residential aviation estate comprising 500 housing units.
The governor further disclosed plans for a dedicated fuel dump and the construction of a five-star Hilton hotel. He also cited an ongoing development of a 1,000-kilometre internal road network to support airport logistics. Moreover, he announced the expected arrival of 180 containers at sea bound for the airport, reinforcing its potential as a global logistics and aviation hub.
Also present at the event was Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, who lauded both the governor and the aviation minister for their roles in spearheading the project. He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to improving the welfare of citizens, noting that ongoing interventions were beginning to lower food prices nationwide.
Captain Edward Boyo, Founder and Managing Director of Overland Airways, assured attendees of the airline’s readiness to offer top-tier service. He encouraged all stakeholders to continue supporting the initiative to ensure its long-term success.
In addition to commercial operations, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport has been designated as the future home of a $3.2 million Army Aviation Hangar. This development, announced by the Nigerian Army Headquarters in March 2024, will be funded by the Pan-African Business Forum as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility commitments.
The proposed hangar will house an impressive fleet, including 12 MD530 attack helicopters, 10 TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and 8 Magnus light attack aircraft. These assets are expected to enhance surveillance, reconnaissance, and patrol capabilities, while also improving aircraft maintenance turnaround times. As of now, no official confirmation has been made regarding the commencement of construction.