Nigeria has 31 federal airports. Six of them currently hold full international certification from FAAN and ICAO and run scheduled international flights — the rest are domestic, cargo-focused, or carry the “international” tag in name only. This guide lists every international airport in Nigeria as of 2026 with location, IATA code, and what it serves.
In April 2026, ICAO scored Nigeria 91.45% on Effective Implementation of safety standards — well above the 70.4% global average — and FAAN secured certification for all five primary international airports for the first time, with Uyo joining the list in January 2026.
Nigeria’s Six Primary International Airports (2026)
| Airport | City / State | IATA | Status |
| Murtala Muhammed International | Ikeja, Lagos | LOS | Certified — busiest, hub for international airlines |
| Nnamdi Azikiwe International | Abuja, FCT | ABV | Certified — capital gateway |
| Mallam Aminu Kano International | Kano | KAN | Certified — northern hub, Hajj operations |
| Port Harcourt International | Omagwa, Rivers | PHC | Certified — oil & gas hub |
| Akanu Ibiam International | Enugu | ENU | Certified — southeast gateway |
| Victor Attah International | Uyo, Akwa Ibom | QUO | Certified Jan 2026 — newest international entry |
Profiles of Each Primary International Airport
1. Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos, LOS)
Built in 1978 and located in Ikeja, MMIA handles more than half of all international traffic in West Africa. It was renamed in 1976 after Nigeria’s then military head of state. The terminal has been remodelled multiple times under FAAN’s nationwide airport rehabilitation programme, with a 2014 expansion that quadrupled the lounge area and added baggage systems handling 1,000+ passengers an hour.
Facilities: ATMs from major Nigerian banks, baby-care rooms in washrooms, full bank branches, duty-free shopping in the international terminal, restaurants (fast-food and sit-down), VIP and airline lounges (including British Airways, Lufthansa, and Emirates lounges).
2. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja, ABV)
NAIA serves Nigeria’s capital and is named after Nigeria’s first president. A new international terminal commissioned in 2018 brought capacity to 15 million passengers a year. The airport is the second-busiest in Nigeria and the main port of entry for diplomatic and government traffic.
Facilities: Multiple security screening points, VIP lounges (Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian, Plaza Premium), free Wi-Fi, duty-free shopping, mid-range and quick-service dining, baggage handling and lost-and-found, premium retail.
3. Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (Kano, KAN)
Originally a Royal Air Force station before independence, MAKIA is the main international airport in northern Nigeria. It’s named after the politician Aminu Kano. The airport carries the bulk of Nigeria’s annual Hajj operations, with chartered flights to Jeddah and Medina between June and August.
Facilities: Domestic and international terminals share one main building; departure lounge, VIP lounge for business class, post office in arrivals. Duty-free shops have been intermittent in recent years.
4. Port Harcourt International Airport (Omagwa, PHC)
PHC sits in Omagwa, about 30 km from Port Harcourt city. It serves Nigeria’s oil and gas heartland and the wider Niger Delta. The new international terminal commissioned in 2018 added capacity and modern check-in. PHC also has a dedicated cargo handling building for oil-services freight.
5. Akanu Ibiam International Airport (Enugu, ENU)
Named after Sir Akanu Ibiam (1906–1995), the Nigerian doctor and statesman. It serves Enugu and the wider Igbo South-East corridor — Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Abakaliki, Owerri, Nsukka. Closed for runway reconstruction in 2019, it reopened in August 2020 and was fully recertified in 2025–26 as part of the FAAN safety drive.
Facilities: VIP lounges with complimentary Wi-Fi and snacks, international and domestic terminals.
6. Victor Attah International Airport (Uyo, QUO)
Named after former Akwa Ibom governor Obong Victor Attah, this airport was upgraded to international status in January 2026 after completion of a new international terminal and an MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) facility. Ibom Air, the state-owned carrier, uses Uyo as its home base.
Other Airports Declared “International” by FG
These airports carry the international designation but currently run mostly domestic schedules. Some operate seasonal Hajj flights or chartered international services:
- Kaduna International Airport (KAD) — operated as Abuja’s diversion airport during the 2017 NAIA runway closure; now mainly domestic with limited international services
- Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (Owerri, QOW) — primarily a cargo hub for Imo State; passenger international services have been limited
- Asaba International Airport (ABB) — Delta State; closed for runway works in the past, now reopened with mostly domestic flights
- Margaret Ekpo International Airport (Calabar, CBQ) — Cross River; international tag, mostly domestic schedule
- Sadiq Abubakar III International Airport (Sokoto, SKO) — used for Hajj operations
- Maiduguri International Airport (MIU) — Borno; Hajj operations and selected domestic
- Dutse International Airport (DUT) — Jigawa; declared international in 2014
- Kebbi International Airport (BIR) — declared international in 2018
- Yola International Airport (YOL) — Adamawa; was upgraded to international in 2002
Major Domestic Airports
- Benin Airport (BNI) — Edo, built 1956, one of Nigeria’s oldest
- Ilorin Airport (ILR) — Kwara, commissioned 1978
- Ibadan Airport (IBA) — Oyo, located at Alakia
- Akure Airport (AKR) — Ondo, commissioned 1986
- Jos Airport (JOS) — Plateau
- Makurdi Airport (MDI) — Benue, commissioned 1983
- Minna Airport (MXJ) — Niger, commissioned 1990
- Katsina Airport (DKA) — operations from 1991
- Bauchi Airport (BCU)
- Gombe Lawanti Airport (GMO)
- Anambra Cargo Airport (ANM) — Umueri, commissioned April 2021
FAQ
How many international airports does Nigeria have in 2026?
Six are FAAN-certified and run regular scheduled international flights: Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Uyo. Another nine carry the “international” tag but operate mostly domestic or seasonal Hajj services.
Which is Nigeria’s busiest airport?
Murtala Muhammed International (LOS) in Lagos. It handles more than half of all international traffic in West Africa.
What’s the newest international airport in Nigeria?
Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo (QUO), upgraded to international status in January 2026.
Does Kaduna Airport still serve international flights?
Limited. Kaduna ran international flights heavily in 2017 when Abuja’s NAIA closed for runway repairs. Today it operates mostly domestic schedules with occasional international charter services.
Where can I see live FAAN updates and flight info?
Visit faan.gov.ng. Each major airport also has a dedicated page under faan.gov.ng/international-airports.
Has Nigeria’s aviation safety improved?
Yes. ICAO’s 2026 Coordinated Validation Mission rated Nigeria at 91.45% on Effective Implementation of safety standards — well above the 70.4% global average — earning FAAN ICAO Gold Member status.
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