BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has commissioned the newly remodelled Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo Domestic Terminal at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The commissioning ceremony, held on Tuesday in Kano, attracted top government officials and aviation stakeholders, including Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Board, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; FAAN Managing Director and Chief Executive, Olubunmi Kuku; Kano State Commissioner for Transport, Haruna Isa Dederi, who represented Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf; Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure; Director of Air Transport Management in the Ministry of Aviation, Ahmed Tijani, as well as FAAN directors and other industry stakeholders.
The upgraded domestic terminal is named after the late Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo, a respected aviation pioneer from Kano State, in recognition of his contributions to the development of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Speaking at the event, Keyamo described the project as another milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to improve airport infrastructure across the country.
“Today, we are gathered for the commissioning of the remodelled and upgraded Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo Domestic Terminal at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. In aviation terms, we simply call it MAKIA,” he said.
The minister stressed Kano’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy, describing the city as the commercial hub of Northern Nigeria and a key focus of the government’s aviation development plans.
“The Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport remains the commercial heartbeat of Northern Nigeria. Kano, for us, remains the commercial heartbeat of Northern Nigeria. That is why we have earmarked Kano for major upgrades,” Keyamo said.
He disclosed that President Tinubu had approved several major projects to transform the airport into one of Africa’s leading aviation hubs.
“The Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has earmarked Kano Airport for major upgrades because of the importance of this airport. That is why one of your great sons and one of our respected leaders, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, was appointed by Mr. President to chair the Board of FAAN, because of the vision he has for aviation and for this great state,” he added.
As part of the airport’s expansion programme, the minister announced that the President had approved ₦46 billion for the resurfacing and reconstruction of the airport’s second runway.
“The President has approved the sum of ₦46 billion for the resurfacing and reconstruction of the second runway so that the Kano Airport can compete with other international airports around the world,” he said.
According to Keyamo, work has also commenced on the upgrade of the airport’s Hajj Terminal, with contractors already mobilised to the 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.
He explained that the remodelling of the domestic terminal forms part of the Federal Government’s broader agenda to improve passenger comfort, operational efficiency, safety standards and service delivery at airports nationwide.
In her remarks, FAAN Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, said the upgraded terminal reflects the Authority’s commitment to delivering world-class airport infrastructure and improving the travel experience for passengers using the Kano airport.
Also speaking, FAAN Board Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, commended President Tinubu and the aviation minister for prioritising infrastructure development at the airport, noting that the ongoing projects would reinforce Kano’s position as Northern Nigeria’s leading commercial and aviation gateway.
The commissioning of the remodelled Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo Domestic Terminal adds to the series of aviation infrastructure projects being undertaken by the Federal Government as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s airports, improve regional connectivity and strengthen the country’s aviation sector.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
