The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has announced that the Muhammadu Buhari Airport in Maiduguri, Borno State, will begin operating as an international airport on January 1, 2025.
Keyamo stated that all necessary preparations for upgrading the airport have been completed, and relevant government agencies have been informed about the upcoming launch.
He shared this information during a visit by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Expressing his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for approving the airport’s upgrade, the minister highlighted that the North-East is the only geopolitical zone in Nigeria without a fully operational international airport.
He said, “Establishing an international airport in Maiduguri is strategic for accommodating international flights from the Middle-East. The city has the capacity, size, population, and infrastructure to support an international airport.”
Governor Zulum, on his part, mentioned that the upgraded airport has the potential to boost economic growth and enhance connectivity across the region.
“As the chairman of the Northeast Governors’ Forum, I assure you of the political will needed to implement this significant initiative,” Zulum said.
He also commended Keyamo for his efforts in transforming the aviation sector, noting, “The services in the sector have improved; anyone can attest to that. In terms of safety, the sector has experienced development and growth. I have observed the Nigerian government’s efforts towards a better aviation industry.”