Maiduguri airport will become regional cargo hub, says Keyamo

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, says the Maiduguri airport will serve as a regional cargo hub, offering support to the economy of the north-east.

In a statement on Thursday, Tunde Moshood, special adviser on media and communications to the minister, said Keyamo spoke when he visited to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.

The minister was accompanied by executives from key aviation agencies, including Olubunmi Kuku, managing director (MD) of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); Farouk Umar, MD of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA); and Chris Najomo, director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), along with representatives from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

Other stakeholders on the trip were officials from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Moshood said the visit provided an opportunity for crucial discussions on the forthcoming upgrade of the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, a project aimed at making the facility operational by January 1, 2025.

He said the upgrade is designed to improve connectivity within the north-east region and also strengthen Maiduguri’s role in international air travel and cargo transportation.

In his remarks, Keyamo underscored the significance of the project as a testament to the region’s growth and resilience, emphasising that the airport is set to become the first fully operational international airport in the north-east.

“With its world-class runway and state-of-the-art facilities, the airport will also serve as a regional cargo hub, offering critical support to the economy of the north-east and beyond,” the minister was quoted as saying.

Also speaking, Zulum expressed his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for appointing Keyamo, praising the minister’s dedication and visionary leadership, “which have driven notable progress in the aviation sector since he assumed office”.

The governor reiterated the state government’s commitment to collaborating with the federal government to ensure the successful launch of operations on the scheduled date.

‘COLLABORATION BETWEEN FG, BORNO LAYS FOUNDATION FOR PROSPERITY IN NORTH-EAST’

According to the statement, the visit provided a vital platform for the minister and stakeholders to address logistical considerations and ensure a smooth transition to international operations.

“It also underscored the federal government’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure, with a focus on regional development and national cohesion,” it said.

“The honourable minister’s visit reaffirms the federal government’s dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s aviation landscape, supporting economic growth, and promoting accessibility for all regions.”

Moshood said as the airport prepares to facilitate international travel and trade, the collaboration between the federal government and Borno lays a foundation for prosperity and progress in the north-east region.