By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
President Bola Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the Maiduguri Airport, Borno State, to international status.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, announced this on Thursday via his verified X handle, @SundayDareSD.
Dare said the latest approval concludes the establishment of at least one international airport across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
He wrote, “President Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the Maiduguri Airport to the status of an International airport.
“This completes the round of international airports across the country with each geo-political zone having an airport.”
Nigeria has a handful of international airports that serve as key gateways to the country, facilitating travel, trade, and tourism.
The major ones include Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Port Harcourt International Airport, Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, and, more recently, Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
These airports handle both passenger and cargo flights, with MMIA being the busiest and the primary hub for international air traffic.
In a related development, Dare also announced the official takeoff of the African Aviation and Aerospace University in Abuja.
“Equally, the African Aviation and Aerospace University, AAAU, takes off in Abuja,” he stated.
The specialised institution, he said, will advance aviation and aerospace education, positioning Nigeria as a key player in the sector within Africa.