The new President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria to rename some federal airports in the country after the names of some leaders in the country’s history.
The renaming of the airports was one of the early executive orders to be implemented by Tinubu’s administration, barely 24 hoursafter he became the president of Nigeria on May 29.
In a memo dated June 1, 2023 and directed to all Head of Operations of FAAN and titled, “Naming of Federal Airports in favour of some prominent Nigerians,” signed by the Director of Airport Operations, Mrs Joke Olatunji, “I am directed to refer a memo with reference number, FMA/T4464/7090/T7B/647 from FAAN on the naming of some federal airports after notable Nigerians.
Former President, Muhammadu Buhari, had toward the end of his administration approved the renaming of the 15 airports.
This was contained in a statement by the Head of Press and Public Affairs of the Ministry of Aviation, Odutayo Oluseyi on May 29, 2023.
The Port Harcourt Airport was renamed after late sage, Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo and the Maiduguri Airport was renamed after Buhari.
Nasarawa Airport immortalised Sheikh Usman Danfodio and Ilorin Airport was named after General Tunde Idiagbon.
Also, the Benin Airport was renamed after the late Oba of Benin, Oba Akenzua II, 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:
- Akure Airport – Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu
- Benin Airport – Oba Akenzua II
- Dutse Airport – Muhammad Nuhu Sanusi
- Ebonyi Airport – Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo
- Gombe Airport – Brigadier Zakari Maimalari
- Ibadan Airport – Samuel Ladoke Akintola
- Ilorin Airport – Gen. Tunde Idiagbon
- Kaduna Airport – Hassan Usman Katsina
- Maiduguri Airport – Gen. Mumammadu Buhari
- Makurdi Airport – Joseph Sarwuan Tarka
- Minna Airpor – Mallam Abubakar Imam
- Nassarawa Airport – Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio
- Osubi Airport – Alfred Diete Spiff
- Port Harcourt Airport – Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo
- Yola Airport – Lamido Aliyu Mustapha
