Four Nigerian States Still Without a Fully Functional Commercial Airport — And How It Can Affect Investment

Four Nigerian States Still Without a Fully Functional Commercial Airport — And How It Can Affect Investment

Nigeria has 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and air transportation has become an important part of modern economic development.

For a state competing for investors, tourists, major companies and international business opportunities, having an airport can provide an important advantage. It can make it easier for executives to travel, reduce the time required to reach industrial areas and make a location more attractive to companies that depend on fast movement of people and goods.

However, despite the expansion of aviation infrastructure across Nigeria, some states still do not have a fully functional commercial passenger airport.

As of 2026, Abia, Kogi, Yobe and Zamfara stand out as states where residents and businesses do not have the same level of direct commercial air connectivity enjoyed by states such as Lagos, Rivers, Kano, Enugu, Akwa Ibom and others. 

This does not mean these states have no aviation facilities at all. Some have airstrips or projects that are being developed. The important difference is whether residents, businesses and investors can depend on regular commercial passenger flights.

1. Abia State

Abia is one of the most economically important states in southeastern Nigeria, particularly because of Aba's strong manufacturing, trading and entrepreneurial activities.

Yet the state has historically depended on airports outside its territory, including airports in neighbouring states.

The Abia Government has been pursuing an airport project around the Isiala Ngwa area. The proposed facility is intended to eventually provide the state with its own aviation gateway. Previous government statements described the project as an important infrastructure need for the state. 

This matters because an investor coming to Aba may have to fly into another state and continue the journey by road.

For a small businessperson, that may be manageable. But for a multinational company sending executives, engineers, consultants and international partners regularly, convenience becomes much more important.

Imagine an international company considering a manufacturing plant in Aba.

Its executives may ask:

Where is the nearest commercial airport?

How long does it take to reach the factory?

Are there regular flights?

Can suppliers and international partners easily visit?

These questions may not automatically cause an investor to reject Abia, but they can influence the final decision when several locations are competing for the same investment.

2. Kogi State

Kogi is another interesting example because of its geographical position.

The state sits close to the centre of Nigeria and has major road connections linking different parts of the country. Lokoja is also relatively close to Abuja.

For years, however, Kogi lacked a functional commercial airport.

That situation is now changing.

In March 2026, the Kogi State Government handed the proposed Zariagi International Airport project to contractors. The government described the airport as a major infrastructure project intended to improve connectivity and economic development. 

The importance of the project goes beyond passengers.

The state government has specifically argued that the airport could improve access for investors, tourists and business travellers. It also wants the facility to connect Kogi more effectively to major economic centres. 

This illustrates why states increasingly see airports as economic infrastructure rather than simply places where people board aircraft.

If a major investor wants to establish a factory in Kogi, direct air access could make the state more convenient for executives and technical teams.

However, Kogi will still need to ensure that the airport eventually attracts regular airlines and passengers. Building an airport alone does not guarantee economic success.

3. Yobe State

Yobe is another state that has faced limited commercial air connectivity.

The state has airstrips, including facilities around Potiskum and Nguru, but these are different from having a major commercial airport with dependable scheduled passenger services.

Recent reports identify Yobe as the only northeastern state without a conventional commercial airport. 

This creates a connectivity challenge.

Yobe has agricultural potential and economic activities that could benefit from improved transportation infrastructure. However, investors looking at the state may consider how easily they can move people and goods between Yobe and major Nigerian cities.

For industries where speed is important, road transportation alone may not always be enough.

An airport could also support emergency travel, government operations, tourism and the movement of specialised personnel.

But again, the objective should not simply be to build a terminal and runway.

The bigger question should be:

Can the airport attract sustainable commercial flights?

That is where several Nigerian airport projects have faced problems.

4. Zamfara State

Zamfara is widely described as the only northwestern state without a fully developed commercial airport.

The state has an airstrip in Gusau, but an airstrip is not the same thing as a fully operational commercial airport with regular scheduled passenger services.

Reports have noted that Zamfara has plans for an airport, but the project has faced the challenge of turning the state's aviation ambitions into a functioning commercial facility. 

For Zamfara, improved air connectivity could potentially make it easier for investors, government officials, development organisations and businesses to access the state.

However, security and economic conditions will also remain major factors in attracting investment.

An airport by itself cannot solve insecurity, electricity shortages, poor roads or weak industrial infrastructure.

Why Does an Airport Matter to Investors?

The biggest question is whether the absence of an airport can actually discourage investors.

The answer is yes, in some circumstances — but it is not the only factor.

An investor normally considers several things before putting billions of naira or millions of dollars into a state.

These include:

Electricity supply

Roads and transportation

Security

Land availability

Tax policies

Skilled workers

Market size

Internet and telecommunications

Access to raw materials

Government policies

Ease of doing business

Availability of ports and airports

An airport is therefore one part of a much bigger investment ecosystem.

For example, a company establishing a factory may not care much about an airport if its products are transported mainly by road.

But a company that regularly brings executives, engineers, foreign partners and high-value equipment may place much greater importance on air connectivity.

An Airport Can Save Time

Time is money in business.

A company executive flying from Lagos to another Nigerian city can reach the destination in a fraction of the time required for a long road journey.

Without a nearby airport, investors may have to fly into another state before continuing by road.

That creates additional transportation costs and increases travel time.

For an investor who needs to make frequent visits, those inconveniences can become significant.

A nearby airport can therefore make a state more convenient.

But Nigeria Has Another Airport Problem

There is an important side to this story.

Nigeria should not simply build an airport in every state without considering whether airlines and passengers will actually use it.

A 2026 analysis by The Guardian highlighted concerns about underutilised Nigerian airports, noting that some state governments have spent billions of naira on airports that have struggled to attract regular flights and generate sufficient economic returns. 

Another industry analysis reported that between 1999 and 2024, 15 state governments spent about N301 billion on airports that did not meet yearly passenger-traffic requirements. 

This is an important warning.

A state should not build an airport simply because neighbouring states have one.

The airport must have an economic purpose.

What Should States Do?

States without airports should conduct serious feasibility studies before spending huge amounts of public money.

They should examine:

Population: Is there enough potential passenger demand?

Business activity: Are there companies and industries that will use the airport?

Tourism: Can the airport support tourism?

Cargo: Can agricultural or manufactured products be transported by air?

Airlines: Which airlines are likely to operate there?

Location: Is the airport close enough to major cities and economic centres?

Roads: Can passengers easily reach the airport?

Security: Can travellers use the facility safely?

These questions should come before construction.

Airports Should Connect With Electricity, Roads and Industry

An airport is more powerful when it is connected to other infrastructure.

For example, a state could develop an industrial park close to an airport.

It could improve electricity supply, build good roads, provide internet infrastructure and create a business-friendly environment around the airport.

That combination can be much more attractive to investors than an expensive airport sitting alone without industries around it.

This is particularly important because Nigeria already has examples of airports with limited traffic.

FAAN currently lists 16 domestic airports that it operates and manages, while Nigeria has many additional state-owned and other aviation facilities. 

The lesson is clear: having an airport is not enough. Having an airport that works economically is what matters.

Could These States Become More Attractive?

Yes.

If Abia completes a functional airport, Kogi successfully delivers its Zariagi project, and Yobe and Zamfara develop sustainable commercial aviation facilities, the four states could gain an important piece of infrastructure.

But the airports must be accompanied by improvements in other sectors.

Investors want to know that after landing, they can reach factories, offices, hotels and industrial zones easily.

They want reliable electricity.

They want security.

They want good roads.

They want predictable government policies.

They want access to a large market.

Therefore, the airport should be seen as one door into the state — not the entire house.

Final Thoughts

Nigeria has made significant progress in expanding airport infrastructure, but aviation development is still uneven.

Abia, Kogi, Yobe and Zamfara remain among the states without a fully functional commercial passenger airport, although projects and plans are changing the situation, particularly in Kogi and Abia. 

The absence of an airport does not automatically mean investors will reject a state.

However, it can make a state less convenient, particularly for companies whose executives, international partners, technical workers and high-value goods need fast transportation.

At the same time, Nigeria must avoid the opposite mistake of building airports that attract few passengers and require continuous government funding.

The real goal should not be “every state must have an airport.”

The real goal should be:

“Every major economic region should have reliable, commercially sustainable air connectivity.”

If Nigeria can combine airports with electricity, security, good roads, industrial development and investor-friendly policies, aviation infrastructure can become a powerful tool for spreading economic opportunities beyond Lagos and Abuja.

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