Minna Airport Designated As Alternative To Abuja In Major Aviation Shake-Up

—Overland Airways Begins Operations as Minister Keyamo Highlights Strategic Role of Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport

In a move set to reshape Nigeria’s aviation landscape, the Honourable 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.

The announcement, made during the official launch of Overland Airways’ inaugural commercial flight to Minna, signals a renewed federal commitment to regional aviation and economic development in North Central Nigeria.

According to Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister, the decision is rooted in both the strategic location and underutilized infrastructure of the Minna airport.

“The runway is an international runway; a 747 and a Triple Seven can use this runway,” the Minister stated at the event. “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.”

Minister Keyamo was joined by top aviation officials, including NCAA Director General Capt. Chris Najomo; FAAN Director of Human Resources, Dr. Emiola Olatunbosun Luqman (representing FAAN MD Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku); Director of Aerodromes Engr. Vembe Peter; AAAU Registrar Dr. Mustapha Sheikh Abdullahi; and Mr. Jensen Asaba, FAAN’s Director of Corporate Services.

Dignitaries at the high-profile event also included 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, represented by Rt. Hon. Abubakar Yahaya Kusada; and former governors of Niger State.

In his remarks, Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, hailed Governor Umar Bago as the “new architect of Niger State,” commending his vision and commitment to infrastructural transformation.

Capt. Edward Boyo, Managing Director of Overland Airways, praised the governor’s leadership and announced the deployment of a brand-new Embraer 175 aircraft on the Minna route.

“Let it go down in history that this man has moved the sea port in Lagos to Minna,” he said.

Overland will begin with three weekly flights connecting Minna to Lagos and Abuja, with plans to expand to international routes via interline agreements.

The designation of the Minna airport as an operational alternative to Abuja is expected to stimulate economic activities, create jobs, and establish Niger State as a critical node in Nigeria’s aviation and logistics network.