In a bold step toward regional development and economic transformation, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, CON, has completed one of Nigeria’s most advanced cargo airports in Damaturu. The airport, now acclaimed as one of the best in the country, is set to reshape the logistics, agricultural, and security landscape of the region.
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Built with cutting-edge facilities never before seen in the region, the Damaturu International Cargo Airport stands as a shining example of visionary leadership, continuity of governance, and strategic investment. From a project initiated under his predecessor, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, Governor Buni pushed the vision through to full execution—modernizing the original plans and ensuring that the final product would meet the highest global standards.
The airport features a 3.6 km long runway, expansive taxiways, advanced air traffic control systems, emergency response infrastructure, and a terminal designed to international specifications. Its navigational equipment—including Instrument Landing System (ILS), DVOR/DME, AWOS, and LLWAS—places it among only a handful of Nigerian airports equipped with such advanced systems.
Governor Buni noted with pride that while major airports in cities like Kano, Abuja, Jos, Gombe, and Bauchi lack sufficient refueling capacity or infrastructure for large cargo aircraft, the new Yobe airport provides a ready and capable alternative. “This facility is built to a standard where international cargo airlines can not only land but also refuel and carry out full-scale operations. This is something you don’t get even in many long-established airports across the country,” the governor said.
Yobe State, long known for its agricultural abundance, especially in livestock, sesame, gum arabic, and grains, is now poised to tap directly into global markets. The Potiskum Cattle Market—considered one of West Africa’s largest—will have a direct export channel, reducing reliance on distant southern ports and long-haul road transport. Trucks once bound for Lagos now have the opportunity to offload goods in Damaturu for faster air shipment to international destinations.
To attract investors, the Buni administration has already begun offering generous incentives. Over 2.5 by 5 kilometers of land surrounding the airport has been allocated for agro-processing, warehousing, fuel farms, and logistics hubs. The state government has also provided tax relief, logistical support, and business facilitation for agro-allied companies ready to establish a presence at the airport. Early discussions have taken place with the government of Qatar and other Gulf nations to enable direct export partnerships, a move that could further boost state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
The airport is not only an economic catalyst but also a strategic security asset. With Yobe playing a crucial role in the fight against insurgency in the Northeast, the airport now offers immediate operational capacity to the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies. The ability to deploy rapidly from Damaturu will shorten response times in counter-insurgency efforts across Yobe and neighboring states. A full military battalion has already been stationed at the airport to guarantee safety, support, and air mobility in security operations.
Beyond the technical and economic feats, the project is a testament to Governor Buni’s leadership philosophy—centered on consolidation, innovation, and people-driven development. His tenure has been marked by other transformational initiatives in education, healthcare, housing, and youth empowerment, but the completion of the cargo airport marks a historic high point in his administration.
What began as a bold promise has materialized into a structure that analysts say could redefine how northern Nigeria connects with global commerce. In 2023, the Federal Government formally took over the airport, further endorsing its national importance. The airport’s international status, strategic design, and operational readiness make it a standout among the country’s newer aviation infrastructure.
For the people of Yobe, the cargo airport represents more than just a physical structure—it is a symbol of hope, progress, and potential. It brings jobs, market access, security improvement, and regional pride. For the nation, it positions Governor Mai Mala Buni as a national asset—one whose foresight, political will, and commitment to development continue to elevate not only Yobe State but Nigeria as a whole.
As flights prepare to take off from Damaturu carrying cargo from the Sahel to global markets, it is clear that Governor Buni has not only delivered an airport—he has delivered a legacy.
_Written by A. A. Mshelia, Public Affairs Analyst from Abuja._
