The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has commissioned the newly refurbished Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo Domestic Terminal at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), describing the project as a critical component of the Federal Government’s infrastructure modernization program under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The event, held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at MAKIA in Kano, brought together senior government officials and aviation stakeholders. Attendees included the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) Governing Board Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; the Executive Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Kano State Commissioner for Transport, Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi; Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure; and the Director of Air Transport Management, Mr. Ahmed Tijani.
The domestic terminal has been named after Mallam Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo, recognized by the Ministry as an aviation pioneer, due to his contributions to Nigeria’s air transport sector.
Delivering the commissioning address, Keyamo characterized the upgrade as part of a broader national strategy to enhance airport facilities nationwide. “Today, we are gathered for the commissioning of the remodeled and upgraded Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo Domestic Terminal at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport,” he stated.
The Minister went on to underscore Kano’s role as the primary commercial and air traffic gateway for Northern Nigeria, noting that the airport’s strategic position warranted prioritized capital investment. He disclosed that President Tinubu had approved ₦46 billion for the overlaying and rehabilitation of the airport’s second runway. This development project was implemented to improve airfield capacity, reduce aircraft turnaround constraints, and align MAKIA’s infrastructure with international standards.
“The President has approved the sum of ₦46 billion for the resurfacing and reconstruction of the second runway so that the Kano Airport can compete with other international airports around the world,” he said.
He further confirmed that rehabilitation works on the airport’s Hajj Terminal have commenced, with contractors already mobilized on site.
According to Keyamo, the terminal remodeling aligns with government objectives to improve passenger processing, operational efficiency, safety compliance, and service delivery across Nigeria’s airport network. He attributed the appointment of Dr. Ganduje as FAAN Board Chairman to the administration’s focus on leveraging experienced leadership to drive aviation reform in the region.
In his remarks, Dr. Ganduje applauded the Federal Government and the Aviation Ministry for prioritizing Kano, adding that the ongoing interventions would reinforce the state’s position as Northern Nigeria’s leading commercial and aviation hub.
FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, noted that the upgraded terminal reflects the Authority’s mandate to deliver world-class facilities and enhance passenger experience.
The newly upgraded domestic terminal strengthens the airport’s infrastructure, even as work progresses on the concurrent runway reconstruction and Hajj terminal overhaul.
