By Chidi Ugwu
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN CON FCIArb (UK), has officially designated the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, as the alternative to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, citing its strategic location and robust infrastructure.
Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, made this known in a statement issued recently in Abuja.
According to the statement, the Minister made the declaration when he joined the executive governor of Niger State, Farmer governor Umar Bago for the official ceremony of Overland Airways’ inaugural flight at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna. The event marked a significant milestone in the revitalization of regional aviation and economic development in the North Central region of Nigeria.
Speaking during the event, the Minister emphasized the operational capacity of the Minna airport, stating:
“The runway is an international runway; a 747 and a Triple Seven 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 in me, I declare Minna airport as the alternative to Abuja Airport. NCAA, FAAN, take note.”
The Minister was accompanied by top officials including the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo; Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, ably represented by Dr. Emiola Olatunbosun Luqman, FAAN’s Director of Human Resources; the Ministry’s Director of Aerodromes, Engr. Vembe Peter; the Registrar of the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Dr. Mustapha Sheikh Abdullahi; and Mr. Jensen Asaba, FAAN’s Director of Corporate Services, among others.
Also present at the high-profile event were the Honourable Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CON; Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, ably represented by Rt. Hon. Abubakar Yahaya Kusada; and former governors of Niger State.
In his welcome remarks, Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, described Governor Umar Bago as the “new architect of Niger State,” lauding his developmental strides.
The Managing Director of Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo, also praised Governor Bago’s leadership and humility. He announced that the aircraft deployed to the route is a brand-new Embraer 175, offering both premium and economy class options.
“Let it go down in history that this man has moved the Sea Port in Lagos to Minna,” Capt. Boyo declared. “We are commencing with three flights a week, connecting Minna to Lagos and Abuja, and will also be offering seamless access to international destinations through interline arrangements later on.”
The launch of Overland Airways’ operations at the Minna airport marks a transformative step for Niger State, positioning it as a critical aviation hub in Nigeria’s air transport network.
