President Bola Tinubu has approved ₦46 billion for the resurfacing and reconstruction of the second runway at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), as part of the Federal Government’s drive to modernise Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the approval on Tuesday during the commissioning of the newly remodelled Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo Domestic Terminal at MAKIA in Kano.
According to a statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, Keyamo said the runway project would significantly improve operational efficiency and strengthen Kano Airport’s status as one of Nigeria’s leading international gateways.
“The Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has earmarked Kano Airport for major upgrades because of its strategic importance,” the minister said.
“The President has approved the sum of ₦46 billion for the resurfacing and reconstruction of the second runway so that Kano Airport can compete with other international airports around the world.”
Keyamo said the approval underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to upgrading aviation infrastructure under the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also disclosed that work has commenced on the upgrade of the airport’s Hajj Terminal, with contractors already on site.
“We have also begun the upgrade of the Hajj Terminal. That project is ongoing, and contractors are already on site as we speak,” he said.
The minister described Kano as the commercial hub of Northern Nigeria, saying the airport remains central to the region’s economic and aviation activities.
“The Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport remains the commercial heartbeat of Northern Nigeria. That is why we have prioritised Kano for major upgrades,” he added.
Keyamo said the remodelling of the Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo Domestic Terminal forms part of the Federal Government’s broader aviation modernisation programme aimed at improving passenger comfort, operational efficiency, safety and service delivery across the country’s airports.
The terminal is named after the late Mallam Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo, an aviation pioneer from Kano State, in recognition of his contributions to the development of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, said the upgraded terminal reflects the agency’s commitment to providing world-class airport infrastructure and enhancing passengers’ travel experience.
FAAN Board Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, commended President Tinubu and the Ministry of Aviation for prioritising infrastructure development in Kano, expressing confidence that the ongoing projects would reinforce the state’s position as Northern Nigeria’s leading commercial and aviation hub.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by senior government officials, aviation stakeholders and representatives of the Kano State Government.
