Yobe
Damaturu Airport Cleared for 2026 Pilgrims’ Airlift to Saudi Arabia
Damaturu Airport Cleared for 2026 Pilgrims’ Airlift to Saudi Arabia
By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu
The Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport (MBICA) in Damaturu has received full certification from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to facilitate the 2026 airlift of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
The certification follows a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Yobe State Government, FAAN, and NAMA, marking a major milestone in the state’s aviation and pilgrimage preparations.
Revealing the development in Damaturu, the Director General of Press and Media Affairs to Governor Mai Mala Buni confirmed that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has also signed off on the final MoU, completing the necessary institutional approvals required for the safe transport of pilgrims.
“The tripartite agreements place the new cargo airport fully in line with the regulatory and operational frameworks set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for airport certification,” the DG said.
The MoU with NiMET was signed on 15th December 2025 at the agency’s headquarters, with the Yobe State Government represented by Commissioner of Transport and Energy, Hon. Muhammad Muhammed Bara, and Permanent Secretary Dr. Mustapha Abba Geidam. Prof. Charles Anthony, Director General/CEO of NiMET, witnessed the signing.
Officials confirmed that all critical technical, institutional, and safety requirements have been met, including the completion and harmonization of the Aerodrome Manual and other operational documentation with national and international aviation standards.
With this certification, MBICA is now fully equipped to handle the logistics and operational demands of next year’s pilgrimage airlift, positioning Yobe State as a key hub in Nigeria’s Hajj operations.