On Friday, the Ministry of Aviation announced that outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari has given approval for the renaming of 15 airports in Nigeria after prominent Nigerians. The statement was signed by the Head of Press and Public Affairs, Odutayo Oluseyi.
The airports that have been renamed include Akure International Airport, which is now named after Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu; Benin International Airport, which has been renamed Oba Akinzua ii; Dutse International Airport, which is now known as Muhammed Nuhu Sanusi Airport; and Ebonyi International Airport , which has been renamed Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo Airport. Gombe International Airport has also been renamed Brigadier Zakari Maimalari Airport.
Other airports that have been renamed include Ibadan International Airport, which is now named after Samuel Ladoke Akintola; Ilorin International Airport, which has been renamed after General Tunde Abdullahi Idiagbon; Kaduna International Airport, which is now named after Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina; and Maiduguri International Airport, which has been renamed after President Muhammadu Buhari.
The remaining airports that have been renamed are Makurdi International Airport, which is now named after Joseph Sarwuan Tarka; Minna International Airport, which has been renamed Mall. Abubakar Imam Airport; Nasarrawa International Airport, which is now named after Sheikh Usman Danfodio; Osubi International Airport, which has been renamed Alfred Diete Spiff Airport; Port Harcourt International Airport, which is now named after Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo; and Yola International Airport, which has been renamed Lamido Aliyu Mustapha Airport.
The renaming of these airports is seen as a way to honor and celebrate the contributions of these prominent Nigerians to the country’s development. It is also expected to boost national pride and promote tourism in the country. The Ministry of Aviation has not yet announced when the new names will take effect at the airports.
