Ibrahim Bello, international terminal manager of Maiduguri International Airport, says the ongoing terminal expansion project is about 90 percent complete.
Speaking with journalists in Maiduguri on Monday, Bello said the infrastructural upgrade followed a collaboration between the Borno state government, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the federal ministry of aviation to modernise facilities at the airport.
“The minister asked all the agencies, the heads of agencies, to come up with their plan for the upgrade,” he said.
“FAAN submitted the drawing of what it wanted the terminal to look like, and the drawing was adopted generally, and immediately the state government started work.
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“The work took a little while and, thank God, we are seeing to its almost 90-something completion.“
Bello said the new terminal features digital check-in counters, weighing scales integrated into the counters, and modern passenger amenities supplied by FAAN, including seating, screening machines, conveyor belts, and carousels.
The manager added that the terminal, when completed, will accommodate about 500 passengers at once, up from less than 300 in the old facility — making it easier to handle multiple flights simultaneously.
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‘MAIDUGURI’S PROXIMITY TO CHAD, NIGER OFFERS OPPORTUNITY FOR REGIONAL HUB’
He described Maiduguri as “strategically located” for regional operations due to its proximity to Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, which positions it as a potential regional hub.
“It is the only airport that has borders with three countries, that is Chad, Cameroon and Niger, which is a very, very good opportunity for us and FAAN to explore regional hope,” Bello said.
“We can have it, it has the strategic advantage more than any other airport in the country, which gives us an edge.
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“So, at FAAN, this is what we are looking at, at the local level, and we are taking it up with our headquarters, to see how we can harness this opportunity.”
The terminal manager said once international operations commence, the airport plans to begin with regional routes such as Maiduguri–N’Djamena and Maiduguri–Cameroon, with possible extensions to Central African destinations like Bangui.
“We have been doing the route analysis for quite a while now, and it’s proven to be something that would work. Yes, so that is what we are looking at now,” he added.
Bello said the airport has been working closely with government agencies such as immigration, border control, Department of State Services (DSS), and customs that will man the international borders once operations begin.
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He said the airport also serves as a Hajj operations centre for Borno and Yobe states, despite lacking a dedicated Hajj terminal.
“We usually co-locate our operations, both domestic and Hajj operations, in one terminal,” he said.
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“This usually gives us a serious challenge. But with the help of FAAN management, we are able to navigate through.“
STATE GOVERNMENT, LIVESTOCK MINISTRY IN TALKS TO BOOST CARGO OPERATIONS
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The manager said the airport holds significant cargo potential, particularly for livestock and agricultural produce, along trade routes linking Maiduguri with N’Djamena, Cameroon, and Niger.
“There is a lot of cargo advantage there that can be enhanced. Just yesterday, somebody from the ministry of livestock came. We are having some discussions with them on how to make that possible,” Bello said.
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On passenger traffic, he said a significant number of travellers who currently commute by road to neighbouring countries such as Chad and Cameroon are likely to embrace air travel once regional flights commence.
The terminal manager added that the anticipated demand would be suitable for smaller aircraft like Embraer and Bombardier jets.
On November 14, 2024, Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, said the Maiduguri airport will serve as a regional cargo hub, offering support to the economy of the north-east.
