Specs that make Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport the best Zik alternative
Situated approximately 150 kilometres from Abuja, the airport serves as a convenient alternative, especially during high traffic or maintenance periods at the Abuja airport.
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, located in Minna, Niger State, has recently emerged as a transformative hub in Nigeria’s aviation sector. It was formerly known as the Abubakar Imam Kagara International Airport before state officials renamed it in March 2024 to honour President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but is it a worthy, strategic alternative to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja?
A relaunch on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, marked a significant milestone for the airport, christened after the current President of Nigeria, Mr. Bola Tinubu.
In the presence of key figures such as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, joining Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago on Overland Airways’ inaugural flight then came the resumption of commercial operations.
Why this seems to matter very much is that this relaunch of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport is more than a ceremonial event; it represents a broader vision for economic growth, regional accessibility, and infrastructure decentralisation, as shown in Mr. Keyamo’s declaration announcing it as a sister airport to Nnamdi Azikiwe in Abuja.
Four days ago, the minister tweeted via his X profile that I and my team joined the Executive Governor of Niger State, H.E Mohammed Umar Bago, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna to launch the inaugural flight of Overland Airways and the resumption of commercial operations at the airport.
He went on to admit his role in completing the status change. I also used the occasion to formally announce the airport as the alternative airport to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja due to its proximity to Abuja, including the length of its runway, which is of international standard. Now, how do these airports fit each other?
The good pair
- Strategic points: Situated approximately 150 kilometres from Abuja, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport serves as a convenient alternative, especially during high traffic or maintenance periods at the Abuja airport.
- World-class hub: The Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport boasts an international-grade runway capable of accommodating large aircraft like Boeing 747s and Triple Sevens. This makes it suitable for significant aviation traffic.
- Modern aesthetics: Recent upgrades include a state-of-the-art terminal, a dual runway system, and plans for additional amenities such as a five-star Hilton hotel, a fuel dump, and an aviation estate with 500 housing units.
- Economic pull: The airport is envisioned as an agro-terminal, leveraging Niger State’s agricultural strengths to drive investment, job creation, and GDP growth.
- Enhanced travel: Already, Overland Airways has initiated flights connecting Minna to Lagos and Abuja, with plans for seamless access to international destinations through interline arrangements.
The airport’s relaunch aligns with the federal government’s policy to decentralise aviation infrastructure. The airport in Minna is anticipated to help reduce congestion at other major venues and improve air travel efficiency across the country.
Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
