Representatives of six states in Northeastern Nigeria have agreed an 15 billion Nigerian naira ($11.3 million) funding deal for a new regional airline. The North-East Air Shuttle would aim to support economic development in the region, as well as improving both intra and interregional connectivity. The contribution represents half of the proposed budget of 30 billion Nigerian naira that was estimated for the airline’s development in January 2026.
What Has Been Agreed?
The funding agreement was jointly announced by the governors of the states of: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe.
The governors had discussed the North-East Air Shuttle at the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) held in the city of Maiduguri, Borno, Saturday Oct. 3.
The announcement marks the latest development in planning discussions which have been taking place at NEGF meetings since 2020.
NGEF’s Chairman, and the State Governor of Borno, Babagana Zulum, said that,
“Forum also resolved to float the North-East regional Air shuttle which would make inter and intraregional movement of people and goods faster and easier.”
So far, only the state of Gombe has publicly disclosed its share of the funding, contributing 5 billion Nigerian naira.
What Form will the North-East Air Shuttle Take?
The NGEF did not confirm exactly what flight routes the new carrier would prioritise or what aircraft it would operate. It is understood that most of the states’ funding would go toward purchasing aircraft, meaning the airline would depend on the region’s pre-existing airports, rather than constructing new ones.
Five of the six NGEF states currently have commercially operational airports, with the exception of Yobe. All five of these airports provide services to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV), in Nigeria’s capital of Abuja.
Both Lamido Aliyu Mustapha Airport (YOL) in Adamawa, and Maiduguri International Airport (MIU), also offer flights to Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) in Lagos, Nigeria’s most populous city.
Can the North-East Air Shuttle improve Northeastern Nigeria’s air connectivity? When might is become operational? Let us know what you think in the comments.
