Tinubu’s Initiatives that Redefined Aviation Sector

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's government has made significant strides in redefining the aviation sector in Nigeria. One of the primary initiatives undertaken by the administration was the capacity building for domestic airlines. This focused on equipping local airlines with the necessary resources and skills to enhance their performance in the competitive global market.

Infrastructure development was another crucial aspect of the Tinubu administration's aviation policies. A substantial N712.3 billion was committed to the reconstruction and modernization of Terminal 1 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), which is Nigeria's major gateway and handles over 60% of international flights.

This project, partially financed through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, includes the construction of a new overhead bridge, skywalk, redesigned passenger routing, and modern baggage handling systems. In Kano, N46 billion was allocated for the complete resurfacing of the runway at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, with work progressing steadily.

The Muhammadu Buhari Airport in Maiduguri was upgraded from a domestic to a full international airport, complete with a new international terminal and enhanced facilities for other government agencies.

The administration also played a pivotal role in upgrading airports across the country. The new international terminal at the Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo Domestic Terminal in Kano was built and commissioned in July 2026. A new airport in Abia State was approved for development, and the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri saw the resurfacing and extension of its runway.

The Benin Airport terminal was rehabilitated and expanded, with the addition of a runway lighting system facilitating night-flight operations. An Osubi Airport terminal was rebuilt for passenger comfort, with the provision of runway lighting for night operations.

In a bold move to attract private sector investment, the Federal Executive Council approved the concessions of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu and the Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo International Airport in Port Harcourt under public-private partnership arrangements. The e-gates at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja were established for seamless processing of Nigerian passport holders.

This significant achievement lifted Nigeria's safety compliance score from 70% to 91.45%, surpassing global and West African averages. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria attained full aerodrome certification for its five international airports, marking Nigeria's first time in history. Additionally, e-gates were introduced to facilitate seamless processing of passengers with Nigerian passports at these airports.