Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Wants Minna Airport To Serve As Alternate To Abuja
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation & Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN) says he wants the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport to serve as an alternative airport to Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.
Speaking at a reception ceremony held to mark the inaugural flight of Overland Airways from Lagos to Minna, Keyamo said the airport had the potential to be the full alternate airport to Abuja airport in terms of position and runway quality.
“We have here an international runway that can take B747 and B777. There was absolutely no reason why this facility has been under-utilized. I have directed all my agencies that this airport should serve as alternative airport to Abuja airport,” he said.
Keyamo said the neglect of the airport over the years has been a puzzle, explaining that the Niger State Governor had gone to President Tinubu, requesting that the airport be renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport and for the state government to take charge.
“The President approved it and directed me to give him all the support,” he said.
“We will provide facilities for facilitation, customs, immigration, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, all the stakeholders,” he added.
Overland Airways, one of Nigeria’s most consistent and focused airline, had on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 held its inaugural flight from Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos to Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, Niger State. The 47-minutes flight was conducted with Overland’s Embraer 175 aircraft.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo said the “launch of this flight services from Minna to Lagos and Abuja is the beginning of restoration of important air connectivity to Minna and its environs and we count on your support to sustain this flight services.”
