In a significant move to enhance air connectivity and decongest the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), has declared the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, as the official alternative airport to Abuja.
Speaking during a reception ceremony marking the inaugural flight of Overland Airways from Lagos to Minna, Keyamo highlighted the vast untapped potential of the Minna airport. He emphasized that the airport’s strategic location and runway capabilities — capable of accommodating large aircraft like the Boeing 747 and Boeing 777 — make it a prime candidate to serve as Abuja’s backup gateway.
“We have here an international runway that can take B747 and B777. There was absolutely no reason why this facility has been under-utilized,” Keyamo said. “I have directed all my agencies that this airport should immediately serve as an alternative to Abuja airport.”
Reflecting on the airport’s years of neglect, Keyamo recounted how Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, had approached President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a request to revitalize the airport and rename it after the President. According to Keyamo, President Tinubu not only approved the renaming but also instructed the Ministry of Aviation to provide full support for the project.
“The President approved it and directed me to give him all the support,” Keyamo stated, assuring that facilities for customs, immigration, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and other critical agencies would be provided to ensure smooth operations.
The revival efforts gained momentum on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, when Overland Airways, one of Nigeria’s most resilient and customer-focused airlines, operated the inaugural commercial flight from Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, to the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna. The 47-minute flight was conducted with Overland’s Embraer 175 aircraft, signaling a new chapter in the airport’s history.
Speaking at the event, Capt. Edward Boyo, Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways, described the launch as a major step towards restoring crucial air connectivity to Minna and its neighboring communities.
“The launch of flight services from Minna to Lagos and Abuja is the beginning of restoring important air links to this region,” Capt. Boyo said. “We count on your support to sustain these flight services.”
The event, filled with optimism and reflection, marks a fresh beginning for Minna’s aviation hub, setting the stage for greater economic development and regional integration.
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