Continuing his administration’s commitment to improving and expanding Nigeria’s infrastructure, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR officially inaugurated the newly constructed international terminal at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) and several other aviation projects in Zaria on Friday, May 26, 2023.
Addressing the audience virtually, President Buhari acknowledged Kano’s unique position as a hub of commerce, investment, and entrepreneurship in the country. He reaffirmed the government’s determination to ensure the success of national airport modernisation efforts, prioritising safety and capacity enhancement.
Prior to the President’s speech, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika took the stage and highlighted the significant features of the newly built Kano terminal. With a capacity of 7 million passengers, it will serve not only the people of Kano and its environs but the entire country.
Sirika expressed his appreciation to President Buhari, acknowledging the comprehensive nature of the aviation infrastructure being commissioned, encompassing both soft and hard aspects. He specifically commended the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), which has played a crucial role in producing 70 per cent of the workforce in civil aviation, including pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers and cabin crews.
Under the present administration, NCAT Zaria has received substantial support to meet its training needs, as evidenced by the commissioning of 20 aircraft, nine of which have already been delivered. This development significantly reduces the college’s training requirements and associated costs by 50 per cent.
Sirika emphasised the remarkable improvements in aviation infrastructure achieved by the outgoing administration. The projects commissioned include six Diamond DA 40NG and one DA42NG aircraft from Magnus Aircraft, the AET school building, an automated fire/smoke aircraft training simulator, a Boeing 737NG flight simulator, a Boeing 737NG full flight simulator, a Boeing 737NG integrated procedural trainer, an ultra-modern auditorium complex, and the ATSEP Basic online ICAO Training package.
In Kano, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje expressed his gratitude to President Buhari for the significant advancements brought to the state. He praised the new terminal building as a gateway to investment and economic prosperity, further propelling Kano to the next level.
With the commissioning of these projects, Nigeria’s aviation sector has taken substantial strides towards modernization and improvement, ensuring safer and more efficient air travel for both domestic and international passengers. The government’s dedication to infrastructure development continues to lay a solid foundation for economic growth and prosperity across the nation.
