President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to rename several federal airports after notable individuals in Nigerian history.
According to a memo issued by the Federal Ministry of Aviation on June 1, 2023, addressed to all FAAN Head of Operations and titled “Naming of Federal Airports in favour of some prominent Nigerians,” President Tinubu’s directive was conveyed.
The memo, signed by Mrs. Joke Olatunji, the Director of Airport Operations, was made available to pressmen on Monday.
The memo states, “I have been directed to reference a memo with the identification number FMA/T4464/7090/T7B/647 from FAAN regarding the naming of certain federal airports after distinguished Nigerians.”
As a result of this directive, the Port Harcourt Airport has been renamed after the late sage Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo, while the Maiduguri Airport has been renamed in honor of the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Moreover, the Nasarawa Airport has been immortalized in tribute to Sheikh Usman Danfodio. The Benin Airport has been renamed after the late Oba of Benin, Oba Akenzua II, the Ebonyi Airport after the late Senate President Chuba Okadigbo, and the Ibadan Airport after the late Premier of the old Western Region, Ladoke Akintola.
See the full list below:
1. Akure Airport – Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu
2. Benin Airport – Oba Akenzua II3. 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