FG to spend N46b on Kano Airport runways reconstruction
The federal government has earmarked over N46 billion for the reconstruction of aviation facilities at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, to meet global standards.
Meanwhile, aviation unions under the Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) have issued the indigenous airlines a fresh seven-day ultimatum, effective from Monday, over the airlines’ alleged refusal to remit the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
In a joint statement signed by the General Secretary of ATSSSAN, Frances Akinjole, and the Deputy General Secretary of NUATE, Odinaka Igbokwe, and addressed to the President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the unions said their initial 14-day ultimatum elapsed on July 8, 2026.
Disclosing this while unveiling the remodelled and upgraded domestic terminal at the airport, named after the late Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the intervention is aimed at resurfacing the oldest airport in the country by 60 per cent of the allocation already released.
According to the minister, the infrastructural development, which already commenced with contractors deployed, covers the runway, taxiway, and major runway. He assured that, upon completion, MAKIA would be ready to receive any aircraft from anywhere in the country.
Earlier, the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, hinted that rehabilitation and expansion of the airport’s Hajj terminal would soon commence.
She explained that the commissioning of the upgraded domestic terminal, including the baggage handling system, conveyance system, and air-conditioning system, among other mechanical improvements, was designed to ensure ultimate climate control and customer comfort.
On his part, Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, described it as a symbol of progress, renewed commitment, and the government’s determination to build an aviation sector that meets global standards of safety, efficiency, and passenger satisfaction.
However, lamenting that the airlines had failed to comply with their demand for the immediate remittance of the outstanding TSC to the NCAA, the unions threatened to picket indigenous airlines if they failed to comply this time.
According to them, the continued non-remittance of the fund had deprived aviation agencies of important resources required to sustain safe flight operations, adding that their members’ welfare was also negatively impacted.
They warned that the situation posed serious safety and security concerns for the nation’s airspace, even as it had continued to jeopardise the conditions of service of aviation workers, leading to unnecessary demotivation factors that could undermine aviation safety.