The Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the construction of the Gboko Airstrip in Benue State at a cost of N34.4 billion, in a move aimed at strengthening national security, supporting agricultural development and improving emergency response capabilities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this yesterday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting, describing the project as a strategic investment that will serve multiple national objectives.
According to Keyamo, the council approved the award of the contract for the construction and development of the airstrip to CCECC Nigeria Limited at a total cost of N34,398,211,538. He explained that Gboko occupies a strategic position in Benue State and the wider Middle Belt region, making it an ideal location for critical aviation infrastructure that will support agriculture, security operations and humanitarian interventions. “For us in aviation, we just had one memo, and it was a short one. We sought council’s approval for the construction and development of the Gboko Airstrip in Benue State, and it was graciously approved by council,” the minister said.
He noted that Gboko serves as an important hub for agricultural activities across the Middle Belt, adding that improved air connectivity would facilitate faster movement of agricultural inputs, produce and personnel while enhancing economic activities in the region. Beyond its economic significance, Keyamo said the airstrip would play a vital role in supporting Nigeria’s security architecture by providing a dedicated operational base for security agencies responding to emerging threats in the area. “The importance of this Gboko Airstrip is that Gboko, in particular, serves as an important hub for agricultural activities around the Middle Belt, and also in particular for our security agencies who have had to look, search for airstrips and bases to confront the challenges that we’re facing around that axis,” he said.
The minister added that the facility will also serve as a critical centre for humanitarian operations, disaster response and medical evacuation services, enabling government agencies and emergency responders to reach affected communities more quickly during crises. “It’s also a base, it will also be a base for humanitarian activities and services, emergencies, medical emergency services. That is how important that area is, and we thought it was important to put an airstrip there to confront and address these challenges of government,” Keyamo stated.
