The Minna Airport in Niger State has undergone a significant transformation as the Federal Government announces its renaming after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This decision, made just hours before the scheduled inauguration on Monday, marks a symbolic gesture towards honoring the prominent Nigerian leader.

Previously named after the late Abubakar Imam, the airport is now part of a group of 15 airports in the country that have been renamed after influential personalities. The State’s Commissioner for Information, Binta Mamman, confirmed the renaming during a media briefing at the Government House in Minna, setting the stage for President Tinubu’s visit to commission the remodelled and upgraded terminal at the newly christened Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport.

The remodelling and upgrading of the terminal, initially an FG project, faced delays prompting the state government to intervene and ensure its timely completion. The strategic significance of the airport as an alternative to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, given its proximity to the nation’s capital, was highlighted by Mamman.

Aminu Takuma, the state Commissioner for Industry, Trade, and Investment, emphasized the President’s support for the state as the basis for renaming the airport, attributing the decision to the FG’s prerogative. Additionally, the state-of-the-art equipment for agricultural mechanization, aimed at enhancing food security agendas at both state and federal levels, will be inaugurated on the same day.

The renaming of the Minna Airport after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not only reflects a gesture of recognition but also underscores the collaborative efforts between the federal and state governments in advancing infrastructure and development initiatives. This move symbolizes a new chapter in the airport’s history, signifying its role as a vital hub for transportation and economic activities in the region.