The Yobe State Ministry of Transport and Energy has completed institutional engagements with major aviation agencies to facilitate the airlift of pilgrims from the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport, Damaturu, to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Mustapha Geidam, disclosed this in a statement issued in Damaturu on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
Geidam said the latest milestone was achieved with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Yobe State Government and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, which he noted was critical to securing full certification of the airport.
According to him, the state had earlier signed similar agreements with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
“Collectively, these agreements place Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport in full alignment with the regulatory and operational framework prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for airport certification,” Geidam said.
The permanent secretary explained that the state government had substantially met all the institutional, technical and safety benchmarks required for certification of the airport.
“The state government confirms that all the critical institutional, technical and safety requirements for certification have been substantially addressed,” he stated.
He added that essential operational documents had also been concluded.
“The Aerodrome Manual and other operational documents have been completed and harmonised with regulatory standards while engagement with NCAA continues to facilitate inspection, validation and final approval,” Geidam said.
FAAN, NAMA, NiMet Now Fully Engaged
Geidam disclosed that the airport now enjoys comprehensive operational coverage from key aviation bodies, including FAAN for aerodrome management and airport operations, NAMA for air navigation and air traffic management, and NiMet for aviation meteorological and weather forecasting services.
He said the development underscored the commitment of the Yobe State Government to establishing a fully functional international airport capable of handling both cargo and passenger operations.
According to him, the progress recorded would enable the airport to support scheduled commercial flights as well as special aviation operations such as Hajj and Umrah airlifts.
“The progress recorded underscores the unwavering commitment of the Yobe Government to delivering a fully functional international cargo and passenger airport capable of supporting scheduled commercial flights and special aviation operations, including Hajj and Umrah services,” he said.
Geidam linked the achievement to the development agenda of Governor Mai Mala Buni, noting that the project aligns with the administration’s vision of transforming Yobe into a strategic aviation and logistics hub in the North-East.
“This achievement aligns with the visionary leadership of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe, Dr Mai Mala Buni, whose development agenda seeks to position Yobe as a strategic aviation, logistics and economic hub in the North-East region,” he said.
The permanent secretary added that the ministry’s immediate priorities include securing final NCAA certification and operational clearance, enhancing the capacity and readiness of airport personnel, and sustaining collaboration with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ahead of the 2026 pilgrimage.