The Nigerian government in partnership with the Niger State government has launched the inaugural commercial flight route connecting Minna to Abuja and Lagos, to enhance connectivity and economic development both in the state and the country.
The move shows the state’s efforts towards opening avenues to both national and international markets.
The newly launched route is more than just a transportation upgrade; it forms a critical component of Niger State’s broader vision for industrial and agricultural transformation.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, speaking after landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, from the inaugural commercial flight from the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, reinstated the government’s robust commitment to collaborate with the state governments to enhance the nation’s developmental agenda.
Impactful governance
The Minister, stressed that sustainable national progress can only be achieved when all tiers of government work in synergy, drawing resources, aligning policies, and coordinating efforts to deliver impactful governance to the Nigerian people.
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna was built by the administration of Umaru Bago in Niger State and named after the President.
“One of the key issues that we need to talk about is the kind of collaboration that Mr. President is always talking about between the Federal Government and the sub-nationals. This is one great example that Niger State has shown that the states can indeed come together with the Federal Government to collaborate in order to bring prosperity to Nigerians,” he said.
The Information Minister, while appreciating President Tinubu for providing the enabling environment that facilitated the successful commencement of operations at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna, also noted that this milestone reflects the President’s unwavering commitment to infrastructural development and improved connectivity across the country.
Idris also commended Governor Bago, for his visionary leadership in opening up the Niger State for agricultural development, commercial activities, industrial growth, and overall economic prosperity.
He described Governor Bago’s efforts as a demonstration of uncommon passion and dedication to the advancement of Niger State and the well-being of its people.
“We have to appreciate our president like our Governor has said. This is indeed a dream come true. The Governor has indeed made this to happen. He is so passionate about opening up Niger State for agriculture, commerce, industry and prosperity,” he said.
The Niger State Governor, Mr. Mohammed Bago, noted that the inaugural flight was aimed at opening Niger State to the world.
Renewed push
He described the launch which took place at the newly upgraded Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna as a dream come true and a symbolic of the state’s renewed push toward economic transformation.
“It felt like closing your eyes and opening them again — it all happened so fast, We are grateful to the management of ValueJet for this route.Niger is officially open to the skies of the world.”
“The management of Overland has been very gracious to give us this brand new aircraft from Lagos to Minna and now from Minna to Abuja and this will happen three times a week; Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. This route opening flight is opening Niger State to the skies of the world. We want to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who the airport is named after for giving us all the enablements,” he said.
According to him, Niger State intends to harness its comparative advantage in agriculture by exporting agricultural produce through the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, thereby enhancing the state’s economic potential and positioning it as a key player in agro-exportation.
He further unveiled some of the projects surrounding the airport, which includes Africa’s largest greenhouse complex, an agro-processing free trade zone, and the first Hilton-branded hotel in Northern Nigeria.
“These initiatives are designed to attract traffic and investment,” Bago stated. “We’re delivering fresh flowers and agro-processed goods across Africa and building a sustainable ecosystem around our airport city.”
On his part Nigeria’s Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, noted that the Nigerian government is partnering with states Niger to unlock the potential of agro-industrial development.
“With the agro-processing free trade zone linked to this airport, we are ensuring our produce can reach markets faster and fresher,” he said. “Niger is leading by example, and we are proud to support this vision of a N1 trillion economy,” he said
Speaking on the impact of the route, Managing Director Overland Airways, Captain Edward Boyo, commended the vision of the Bago administration.
“You saw the number of people who disembarked in Abuja — the Lagos–Minna–Abuja route has sustained itself,” he said. “What the governor has done is wonderful. He has, in effect, moved the seaports to Minna. In just 35 to 40 minutes, any goods, documents, or transactions from Minna can reach Lagos and, from there, the seaports. This route is sustained by commerce, and as commerce grows, the state will continue to develop,” he said
The inaugural commercial flight, Overland Air with Registration Number 5N-CCN landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 1:32pm conveying the first set of passengers, which includes, the Niger State Governor, Mr. Umaru Bago, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, former Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi and other top government officials.
Lateefah Ibrahim
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