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The Yobe Ministry of Transport and Energy has concluded engagements with key aviation agencies to airlift pilgrims from the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport, Damaturu, to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj.
In a report by Punch News, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Mustapha Geidam, said the engagements were completed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the state government and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency for full certification of MBICA on Tuesday.
Geidam said the state had earlier signed other memoranda with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency. He added that the state government confirmed that all the critical institutional, technical and safety requirements for certification have been substantially addressed.
“ Collectively, these agreements place Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport in full alignment with the regulatory and operational framework prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for airport certification.
“ 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,” the permanent secretary said.
He praised the leadership of the governor, saying:“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 further stated that the ministry was currently focusing on securing final NCAA certification and operational clearance, strengthening capacity building and operational readiness of airport personnel and sustaining coordination with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
