President Bola Tinubu has approved ₦46 billion for the resurfacing and reconstruction of the second runway at the 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 the airport in Kano.
Keyamo said the runway project is one of several interventions approved by President Tinubu to upgrade the airport and improve its capacity to meet international standards.
According to him, the reconstruction of the second runway will enhance operational efficiency, improve safety and strengthen Kano’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading aviation hubs.
“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,” the minister said.
He added that the Federal Government considers Kano a strategic centre for commerce and aviation in Northern Nigeria, which informed the decision to prioritise major infrastructure upgrades at the airport.
Keyamo also revealed that work has commenced on the upgrade of the airport’s Hajj Terminal, with contractors already mobilised to the site.
Describing the newly commissioned domestic terminal as another milestone under the Tinubu administration’s aviation reform agenda, the minister said the government’s investments are aimed at improving passenger comfort, operational efficiency, safety and service delivery across the country’s airports.
He noted that the terminal was named after Mallam Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo, a renowned aviation pioneer, in recognition of his contributions to the development of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director 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 facilities and a better travel experience for passengers.
Chairman of FAAN’s Governing Board, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, commended President Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation for prioritising aviation development in Kano, saying the ongoing projects would further strengthen the state’s position as the commercial and aviation hub of Northern Nigeria.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by senior government officials, aviation stakeholders and representatives of the Kano State Government.
