The decision, aimed at honoring notable Nigerians and their contributions to the country, was made public through a memo issued by the Federal Ministry of Aviation on June 1, 2023.

The memo, signed by Joke Olatunji on behalf of the Director of Airport Operations, was made available to Channels Television on Monday, June 26, 2023.

This renaming initiative is part of the government’s ongoing reforms in the aviation sector, wto paypromoteo influential individuals and promoting their lasting legacies. Various figures from different fields have been chosen to have airports named after them, immortalizing their significant contributions to Nigeria’s development.

Among the airports that have been renamed, the Maiduguri Airport in Borno State now bears the name of the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Port Harcourt Airport in Rivers State has been dedicated to the late nationalist Obafemi Awolowo, while the Nasarawa Airport is now named in honor of Usman Dan Fodio, the esteemed founder of the Sokoto Caliphate.

This renaming initiative extends beyond these airports, encompassing other airports across the country as well. For instance, the Benin Airport in Edo State has been renamed in tribute to the late Oba Akenzua II, recognizing his remarkable contributions to the region.

The Ebonyi Airport, situated in Ebonyi State, pays tribute to the late Senate President Chuba Okadigbo. The Ibadan Airport, in Oyo State, has been renamed after the late Premier of the old Western Region, Ladoke Akintola.

Here is the full list of renamed airports:

1. Akure Airport – Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu
2. Benin Airport – Oba Akenzua II
3. Dutse Airport – Muhammad Nuhu Sanusi
4. Ebonyi Airport – Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo
5. Gombe Airport – Brigadier Zakari Maimalari
6. Ibadan Airport – Samuel Ladoke Akintola
7. Ilorin Airport – Gen. Tunde Idiagbon
8. Kaduna Airport – Hassan Usman Katsina
9. Maiduguri Airport – Gen. Muhammadu Buhari
10. Makurdi Airport – Joseph Sarwuan Tarka
11. Minna Airport – Mallam Abubakar Imam
12. Nassarawa Airport – Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio
13. Osubi Airport – Alfred Diete Spiff
14. Port Harcourt Airport – Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo
15. Yola Airport – Lamido Aliyu Mustapha

Umahi revealed this to the state’s stakeholders and a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Aviation of this. the flight test that was conducted at the Onueke Airport,

The President will officially open the international airport bearing President Muhammadu Buhari’s name during the first week of May 2023.

Several hundred people from Lagos and Abuja were reportedly transported by two Air Peace Hopper planes, Nos. 5N-BXF and 5-BUY, when they landed at the airport.

Umahi stated that the state government is unable to operate the airport and that he is willing to turn the airport over to the federal government.

He added that the airport employed around 400 Ebonyi State residents as employees.

The General Manager of Aerodrome Services, Mr. Oladipo Adebayo, who was speaking on behalf of the director of the Civil Aviation Authority, CAA, had earlier referred to the airport as the best airport in Nigeria.

He commended the Ebonyi State Government for utilizing high-quality tools to build the airport and added that with such high-grade components employed, the airport would last the test of time.

In a statement obtained by TechEconomy, the Authority said the installations would commence July 8 and are expected to be completed in 90 days. It assured that normal flight operations would not be affected by the installations

“As part of efforts aimed at improving the safety and efficiency of flight operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

FAAN has concluded arrangements to complete the installation of CAT III Airfield Ground Lighting system on Runway 18L/36R.

The project, which will commence effectively on Friday, July 8, 2022, is expected to last for 90 days. Consequently, Runway 18L/36R will be closed to flight operations during this time. However, stakeholders are to note that there will be no disruption. All normal flight operations will be conducted through runway 18R/36L.

A NOTAM to this effect has already been published and disseminated accordingly.