BY GBENGA OLORUNPOMI
As Nigeria marks a century of civil aviation, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ushering in a new era through the Nigeria airport transformation drive—the most ambitious upgrade programme in decades. A visible milestone is the deployment of advanced scanning and screening machines, eliminating outdated manual bag checks.
Just this month, self-service e-Gates were introduced at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. These e-Gates allow Nigerian passport holders to clear immigration faster and more efficiently, further improving the passenger experience.
In addition, the E-Wing at MMIA has undergone a major revamp, enhancing both its functionality and aesthetics. Work is currently ongoing at the D-Wing. Given that MMIA handles nearly 70% of Nigeria’s international traffic, this level of focused attention is both strategic and necessary.
But this effort goes far beyond Lagos. Across the country, we are rebuilding and remarking runways, upgrading electrical and lighting systems, installing CCTV, and deploying new emergency equipment. For example, the reconstructed runway at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu was completed ahead of schedule, underlining the Southeast’s importance to our national economy.
In North Central Nigeria, a joint project with the Plateau State Government is turning Yakubu Gowon Airport in Jos into an international cargo hub. Minna Airport in Niger State has been designated an official alternative to Abuja and now enjoys international status.