President Bola Tinubu has approved ₦46 billion for the resurfacing and reconstruction of the second runway at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano as part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to modernise Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure and improve airport operations.
The approval was announced on Tuesday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during the commissioning of the newly remodelled and upgraded Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo Domestic Terminal at the airport.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the minister said the runway project forms part of President Tinubu’s broader intervention to strengthen the country’s aviation sector. According to Keyamo, the reconstruction will improve operational efficiency and enable Kano Airport to compete with leading international airports across the world.
“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,” Keyamo Said.
He further disclosed that “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.”
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s aviation sector under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing the commissioning of the upgraded domestic terminal as another milestone in the administration’s drive to modernise airport infrastructure nationwide.
“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.
Emphasising Kano’s strategic role in Nigeria’s economy, Keyamo described the city as the commercial hub of Northern Nigeria and explained that this informed the government’s decision to prioritise major aviation projects in the state.
he stated. He also announced that work has already commenced on the airport’s Hajj Terminal upgrade. “We have also begun the upgrade of the Hajj Terminal. That project is ongoing, and contractors are already on site as we speak,” the minister added.
According to the statement, the Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo Domestic Terminal was named after Mallam Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo, a respected aviation pioneer from Kano State, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Governing Board, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; FAAN Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; Kano State Commissioner for Transport, Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi, who represented Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf; Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure; Director of Air Transport Management, Ahmed Tijani; FAAN directors, aviation stakeholders and other invited guests.
In her remarks, FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku said the upgraded terminal demonstrates the authority’s commitment to providing world-class airport facilities and improving passengers’ travel experience. Meanwhile, FAAN Board Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje commended President Tinubu and Minister Keyamo for prioritising aviation development in Kano, expressing confidence that the ongoing projects would further strengthen the state’s position as Northern Nigeria’s leading commercial and aviation hub.
