Air transport is one of the modes of passenger and freight transport in Nigeria. The large size of the country, coupled with its geographically diverse resources and resource potentials encourages extensive use of aircraft for speedy, long, and medium distance carriage.
As of now, Nigeria has up to 31 airports spread across the country’s 36 states, though not all of them are international airports. We also have local airports in Nigeria, as well as a few international airports.
Nigerian International Airports are now open for both Nigerians and other foreign nationals arriving in the country or departing for other countries.
As a sovereign country located in West Africa bordering Niger in the north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin in the west, the Federal Republic of Nigeria has four major international airports that convey travellers from the country to another country, be it within or outside the Africa continent.
As nature’s wishes, Nigeria has its southern coast on the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean and is comprised of 36 states of which the Federal Capital Territory, is in Abuja.
So, today I will provide you with the names of the international airports in Nigeria.
- Murtala Muhammed International Airport
- Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
- Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport
- Port Harcourt International Airport
- Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu
- Kaduna International Airport
- Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri
- Asaba International Airport
1. Murtala Muhammed International Airport
Built and commissioned over 40 years ago, in 1978 and located in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria, Murtala Muhammed Int’l airport is one of the best international airports in the country and is the major airport serving the entire state.
The airport was named after Murtala Muhammed, Nigeria’s fourth military ruler, and was built during World War II.
When Lagos International Airport was renamed in 1976 to honor Nigerian President General Murtala Muhammed, it was known as Lagos International Airport.
The airport terminal has been renovated several times since the 1970s, but its most recent transformation began in 2013, following the launch of the Federal government’s multi-billion naira Airport Remodelling/Rehabilitation Programme for its airports nationwide.
In 2014, the airport lounge area was quadrupled in size, and new passenger handling conveyor systems capable of handling over 1,000 passengers per hour were installed.
2. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport which is a FAAN airport is an international airport serving Abuja, in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. It is the main airport serving the Nigerian capital city and was named after Nigeria’s first President, Nnamdi Azikiwe.
3. Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport
Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport is an airport serving Kano, the capital city of Kano State of Nigeria. It was a Royal Air Force station before the country became independent. It is the main airport serving northern Nigeria and was named after politician Aminu Kano.
4. Port Harcourt International Airport
Port Harcourt International Airport is an international airport located in Omagwa, a suburb of Port Harcourt, the capital city of the Rivers State in Nigeria. The airport has two terminals for both international and domestic flights.
5. Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu
Akanu Ibiam International Airport (IATA: ENU, ICAO: DNEN), also known as Enugu Airport, is an airport serving Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State of Nigeria, and nearby cities, such as Abakaliki, Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Afikpo, Okigwe, Nsukka, Ugep, Orlu, Idah, Otukpo, and Ogoja.
The airport is named after the late Akanu Ibiam (1906–1995), a medical doctor and statesman who hailed from Afikpo in Ebonyi State.
6. Kaduna International Airport
The Kaduna International Airport, located about 22 kilometres northwest of the city, was established and officially commissioned in 1982, with its first international flight taking place in March 2017.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) operates the airport, which was recently upgraded in 2017 and now serves both domestic and international flights.
7. Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri
Unlike others, the Sam Mbakwe Airport is an international cargo airport in Imo State, Nigeria. It began operations in 1994, under the administration of former military administrator Navy Captain J.N. Aneke.
8. Asaba International Airport
The Asaba International Airport was established and opened in 2013. It is located in the capital city of Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria, and serves Delta state as well as Onitsha, which is located across the Niger River in Anambra.
The airport was opened with high hopes, but it has since deteriorated and has been temporarily closed, necessitating extensive government intervention.
Other International Airports In Nigeria
- Dutse International Airport, Jigawa
- Kebbi International Airport, Kebbi
- Maiduguri International Airport, Borno
- Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar
- Sadiq Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto
Domestic airports in Nigeria
Nigeria currently has eleven different domestic airports spread across various states. Their names and addresses are listed below:
1 Benin Airport
This is one of the oldest domestic airports in Nigeria constructed in 1956 by the former Public Works Department (PWD) and upgraded in between 1975 and 1978 before it was finally handed over to the Nigerian Airports Authority (NAA).
2 Ilorin Airport
This is also one of the eleven domestic Airports commissioned on February 16, 1978. It is located at Fili area of Ilorin, about 9km Southwest of Ilorin town.
3 Sokoto Airport
Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto was commissioned on February 17, 1982. It is located at South-south West of Sokoto.
The Sokoto Airport is mostly utilized during Hajj and Umrah trips by passengers.
4 Yola Airport
The Yola Airport is another domestic airport in the country located at Jimeta, about 8km Northwest of Yola commissioned on the 27th October 1984. There was operation from 1978 until it was upgraded to an International Airport in 2002.
5 Ibadan Airport
Ibadan Airport was commissioned in June 1982 by the former Senate President, Joseph Ways. It is located at Alakia, which is between Adegbaiji community and Iwo Road in Ibadan, Oyo state.
6 Kaduna Airport
The Kaduna Airport is another one of the eleven domestic airports fully constructed and officially commissioned in 1982 under the management of the Nigerian Airports Authority (NAA).
This Airport is located about 12km from Kaduna Metropolis. The nearest community to the Airport is Isira Community.
7 Kastina Airport
Another domestic airport in Nigeria we have on the list is Katsina Airport which was commenced operation on the 22nd December 1991 located southwest of Katsina and about 4km from the metropolis.
The nearest towns and distances or sub burbs to the airport are Modoju 2KM, Makeva 3KM, and Kayanki 5KM.
8 Maiduguri Airport
The Maiduguri Airport is one of the airports that acts as both domestic and international airports mostly engulfed by passengers’ traffic during Hajj operations.
The Airport is located in the headquarter of Borno state, Maiduguri and it is also sub burb by Bulunkutu, Shiwari, Shelmari and Muronti communities.
9 Makurdi Airport
Makurdi Airport is known and acts as a domestic airport in Nigeria commenced operation in 1983 presently located at Fili along Makurdi – Gboko Road, Benue State.
10 Minna Airport
Minna Airport was commissioned on 20th June 1990 by the former Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida.
Now, the Minna Airport is located in Maikunkele Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State.
11 Akure Airport
Akure Airport is also a domestic airport located in the city of Akure, Ondo state-commissioned/established on 8th February 1986.
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