29, July 2026
President Bola Tinubu has approved ₦46 billion for the resurfacing and reconstruction of the second runway at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the approval on Tuesday during the commissioning of the newly remodeled Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo Domestic Terminal at the Kano airport. The information was contained in a statement issued by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister.
Keyamo said the intervention was part of the Tinubu administration’s plan to upgrade strategic airports across the country. He noted that the reconstruction of the second runway is expected to improve operational efficiency and position Kano Airport to compete with other major international airports globally.
“The Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has earmarked Kano Airport for major upgrades because of the importance of this airport,” the Minister said. “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 added that the appointment of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, was deliberate, given his aviation vision and connection to Kano State.
Keyamo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s aviation sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He described Kano as the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria and stressed that upgrading MAKIA was critical to supporting trade and air travel in the region.
“The Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport remains the commercial heartbeat of Northern Nigeria. That is why we have earmarked Kano for major upgrades,” he stated.
The Minister also disclosed that work has begun on the upgrade of the airport’s Hajj Terminal, with contractors already mobilized to site.
At the event, the remodeled domestic terminal was officially named after Mallam Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo, in recognition of his contributions as an aviation pioneer from Kano. Keyamo described the commissioning as another milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to modernize airport infrastructure nationwide.
The Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, said the upgraded terminal reflects the agency’s commitment to delivering world-class facilities and improving passenger experience.
Also speaking, the Chairman of FAAN’s Governing Board, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, commended President Tinubu and the Aviation Minister for prioritizing aviation development in Kano. He said the ongoing projects would further strengthen Kano’s status as the leading commercial and aviation hub in Northern Nigeria.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, Kano State Commissioner for Transport Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi who represented Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Minister of State for FCT Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, Director of Air Transport Management Ahmed Tijani, FAAN Directors, and other aviation stakeholders.
The ₦46 billion runway project is expected to begin soon as part of broader upgrades planned for MAKIA.
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