President Bola Tinubu has made a significant announcement regarding the renaming of several federal airports in Nigeria. This development was revealed through a memo issued by the Federal Ministry of Aviation on June 1, 2023. The memo, signed by Mrs. Joke Olatunji on behalf of the Director of Airport Operations, stated that the renaming of the airports is part of a broader reform of the Aviation sector.
The renaming exercise includes airports such as Maiduguri Airport, which has been renamed after the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari. Similarly, the Port Harcourt Airport will now be known as the Obafemi Awolowo Airport, in honour of the late nationalist leader. The Nasarawa Airport will be immortalised as the Usman Dan Fodio Airport, paying tribute to the founder of the Sokoto Caliphate.
Furthermore, the Benin Airport will bear the name of the late Oba of Benin, Oba Akenzua II. The Ebonyi Airport will be renamed in honour of the late Senate President, Chuba Okadigbo. Lastly, the Ibadan Airport will be known as the Ladoke Akintola Airport, in remembrance of the late Premier of the old Western Region.
These name changes aim to recognise and commemorate the contributions of these prominent Nigerians to the nation’s history and development. The decision to rename the airports aligns with President Tinubu’s vision for reforming the Aviation sector.
See the full list below:
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. Mumammadu Buhari
10. Makurdi Airport – Joseph Sarwuan Tarka
11. Minna Airpor – 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
