President Bola Tinubu has approved the upgrade of Maiduguri Airport in Borno State to international status, completing the establishment of at least one international airport in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, announced the approval on Thursday via his verified X handle, @SundayDareSD.
Dare stated, “President Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the Maiduguri airport to the status of an international airport. This completes the round of international airports across the country, with each geo-political zone having an airport.”
With this upgrade, Maiduguri Airport joins Nigeria’s network of international airports, which includes Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Port Harcourt International Airport, Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, and Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo. These airports serve as key entry points into Nigeria, facilitating international travel, trade, and tourism.
The upgrade is expected to boost economic activities in the North-East region, improve regional connectivity, and enhance access for travelers, businesses, and investors.
In a related development, Dare also announced the official takeoff of the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU) in Abuja. The specialized institution is designed to advance aviation and aerospace education, positioning Nigeria as a key player in the sector within Africa. The university is expected to provide world-class training in aviation management, aerospace engineering, and other related disciplines, contributing to the development of highly skilled professionals in the industry.
Meanwhile, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, recently hosted the Ambassador of Namibia to Nigeria, H.E. Humphrey D. Geiseb, in Abuja. Their discussions focused on the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Namibia and potential collaborations to improve aviation connectivity between the two nations.
Geiseb highlighted the historical significance of Air Namibia’s past operations, which previously connected Lagos to Accra and facilitated travel between Namibia and Nigeria. However, the national carrier faced financial difficulties and ceased operations following a government bailout. He noted that travelers between Namibia and Nigeria now have to transit through Addis Ababa, as there are no direct flight connections.
To address this, Geiseb expressed Namibia’s interest in partnering with Nigerian airlines to restore direct connectivity and confirmed ongoing discussions with Air Peace. He encouraged Keyamo to engage with Nigerian domestic airlines to explore potential collaboration opportunities.
In response, Keyamo acknowledged the challenges in establishing direct flight routes and shared his experience with the successful Algeria-Lagos-Cameroon flight connection, which materialized after engagement with the Algerian ambassador. He mentioned that Nigerian airline Xejet, which currently operates Sierra Leone’s national carrier, Air Sierra Leone, could be a potential partner for direct flights between Nigeria and Namibia.
The minister also raised concerns about visa difficulties between Nigeria and Namibia, referencing his own challenges in obtaining a Namibian visa despite holding a diplomatic passport. He urged the ambassador to work toward resolving these issues to facilitate smoother travel, trade, and investment between both countries.
Keyamo and Geiseb agreed to collaborate on strengthening aviation and diplomatic ties, emphasizing the need for improved connectivity and bilateral relations. The visit marked a step forward in fostering closer cooperation between Nigeria and Namibia, with both parties committed to exploring new opportunities to benefit their aviation sectors and broader economic relations.
