The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has officially inaugurated a state-of-the-art terminal for the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) at the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The $3.4 million infrastructure project, was designed to facilitate the rapid delivery of aid to communities cut off by insecurity, represents a significant upgrade in the humanitarian response within Northeast Nigeria.
The facility was unveiled by Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, at the international airport, in Maiduguri.
In her address, Cynthia Rowe, Development Director for the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)—which funded the project alongside the WFP—emphasized that the terminal is far more than just a building.
She said the facility has provided a permanent efficient hub, which replaces long-standing temporary structures and offers a more reliable lifeline for over 130 humanitarian organizations operating in the region.
“This is a step-change in how humanitarian aid and access is to be delivered across the northeast of Nigeria.
“For many years, humanitarian aid has been operating from temporary facilities. Today that changes. We are opening a permanent terminal that will strengthen the reach, reliability, and resilience of the entire humanitarian response. What matters most is access.” Rowe said.
She, however, observed that independent fuel supply has remained a critical battle neck, and by securing these operations, flight schedules can be maintained with greater predictability.
“This will ensure flights can operate when they are needed the most, in the area of response,” she said
Rowe said the facility has dedicated, modernized infrastructure for passengers, cargo handling, and flight operations, making the entire workflow faster and more efficient.
“This facility is a testament to what partnership can achieve even in difficult circumstances,” Rowe remarked. “Our focus must now turn to what comes next to ensure that this facility delivers to its full potential: faster, more reliable access to assist those who need it most.”
In his address, the Board Chairman of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), former Kano State governor, said the facility would significantly boost humanitarian intervention across the northeast region.
He also assured that FAAN and other partners would align with their mandate to provide world-class airport infrastructure and services that contribute to national development and the well-being of the Nigerian people, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Earlier in his remark, the WFP Representative and Country Director, Katrina Ghoos, said the new facility would improve the management and coordination of flights serving humanitarian organisations operating across the region.
He said the project stands as a victory for collaborative international effort, and acknowledged the contributions and the steadfast commitment of the FCDO, federal and Borno State governments.
Zulum, who was represented by the Executive Secretary for the coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Borno State, Dr. Babakura Kadai, said, commended FCDO, WFP, UNHAS, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and other stakeholders for bringing the project to reality
“The facility will enhance humanitarian coordination, increase operational efficiency, and facilitate the delivery of life-saving assistance to vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities throughout the state and the wider North East Region” he said.
As the facility begins operations, it is expected to significantly boost the humanitarian community’s ability to scale up interventions in historically inaccessible areas, providing a much-needed morale and logistical boost to the ongoing rebuilding efforts in Borno and the entire northeast region.
