Minna International Airport in Nigeria’s north-central region will launch scheduled commercial passenger flights on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, ending more than four decades without regular airline service.
Recently renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, the facility has undergone substantial upgrades and will begin operations through a new partnership between the Niger State government and Overland Airways Limited. The initiative is being driven by New Niger Aviation (NNA), a Special Purpose Vehicle established to revitalize the state’s aviation infrastructure.
“This is more than a flight path—it’s a gateway to economic opportunity,” said Alhaji Liman Katamba Kutigi, Chief Operating Officer of NNA. “Our collaboration with Overland Airways redefines regional connectivity in northern Nigeria.”
The new service will link Minna with Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria’s political and commercial capitals, marking the first time the airport will host scheduled flights since it was built over 40 years ago.
State officials say the relaunch is part of a broader strategy to establish Niger State as a key node in the national aviation and logistics network. Kutigi praised Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s administration for its commitment, describing the project as deliberate, focused, and transformative.
Overland Airways CEO Captain Edward Boyo confirmed that flights will operate three times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—using Embraer E-175 aircraft. The service is expected to provide residents and businesses with direct access to the country’s two most vital cities.
Analysts suggest the airport’s revival could stimulate local economies, enhance regional mobility, and help reduce congestion at Abuja’s busy Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
As Nigeria works to strengthen its domestic aviation network, airports like Minna are viewed as essential to unlocking long-term growth in underconnected regions.