Taraba Aviation Hub

PRESS STATEMENT

DEC 1 2025

Taraba State Government Celebrates 100 Years of Civil Aviation in Nigeria

The Taraba State Government joins the nation in celebrating 100 years of civil aviation in Nigeria, acknowledging a century marked by progress, resilience, and transformation in the aviation sector.

Civil aviation has played a critical role in Nigeria’s socio-economic development connecting regions, boosting commerce, enabling tourism, and fostering national integration. This remarkable journey reflects the dedication and innovation of aviation professionals, agencies, institutions, and partners who have contributed to the growth of the industry.

I wish to commend and appreciate His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, Governor of Taraba State, an ardent supporter of aviation and aerospace development. His visionary leadership and strategic investments have repositioned Taraba within the national aviation landscape. From the revitalisation of the Danbaba Suntai Airport Jalingo, to broader initiatives aimed at enhancing air connectivity and infrastructure, the Governor’s commitment continues to advance the State’s aviation ambitions.

As Nigeria enters the next century of aviation excellence, Taraba State reaffirms its dedication to strengthening aviation infrastructure, promoting safety, deepening partnerships, and expanding opportunities that will benefit the people of Taraba and the nation at large.

Signed:
Joseph Israel
Special Assistant to the Governor of Taraba State on Aviation

Taraba, Soaring Towards Tomorrow, How Governor Kefas is Engineering the Northeast's New Aviation Gateway

​Nestled where the rugged mountains of Nigeria’s northeast kiss the clouds, Taraba State is quietly, yet powerfully, engineering its own skies. What was once a distant aspiration is rapidly becoming the defining engine of its new development narrative.

​The Gateway Takes Flight: A Symbol of Progress

​The Danbaba Suntai Airport in Jalingo is no longer just an infrastructural facility, it is the throbbing heart of this transformation and the tangible symbol of Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas's commitment to modernity and commerce.
​Through strategic, targeted investment, the runway has come alive. The airport is now fully equipped with cutting-edge firefighting tenders and modern rescue systems, ensuring that safety protocols meet and often exceed national standards. The successful renewal and increase of flight operations have solidified the airport's role, making it the definitive gateway of the Northeast for greater trade, investment, and tourism.

​Investing in Minds, Not Just Metal

​Governor Kefas understands that infrastructure is only as strong as the people who manage it. The vision transcends the concrete and steel of the tarmac, focusing intensely on human capital development. A profound movement is underway to empower local communities:

​Empowerment in the Air:

Young Tarabans are being rigorously trained and absorbed into critical, specialized roles, spanning aviation support services, emergency response teams, and sophisticated airfield management.

​A Future Built by Hands:

For these bright minds, this initiative provides more than just employment; it provides the dignity of specialized expertise and the foundation for sustainable career paths.
​The administration is not just investing in fixed assets; it is investing in people, technology, and uncompromising safety protocols, purposefully setting the stage for Taraba to become the leading, reliable aviation hub of the region.

​A Center for Collaboration and Policy

​By aggressively pursuing strategic partnerships, Taraba is cementing its role as a think-point—a place where national aviation dialogue, innovative policy ideas, and future technology converge. This commitment ensures the state’s voice is influential in shaping Nigeria's broader aviation future.
​From the breathtaking peaks of the Mambilla Plateau to the reassuring sweep of the Jalingo runway lights, the message is singular and resounding:
​Taraba is not passively waiting for the future to arrive, it is actively, boldly, engineering it.

Joseph Israel
Special Assistant to the Governor of Taraba State on Aviation
Taraba, Soaring Towards Tomorrow

​Nestled where the rugged mountains of Nigeria’s northeast kiss the clouds, Taraba State is quietly, yet powerfully, engineering its own skies. What was once a distant aspiration is rapidly becoming the defining engine of its new development narrative.

​The Gateway Takes Flight: A Symbol of Progress

​The Danbaba Suntai Airport in Jalingo is no longer just an infrastructural facility, it is the throbbing heart of this transformation and the tangible symbol of Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas's commitment to modernity and commerce.
​Through strategic, targeted investment, the runway has come alive. The airport is now fully equipped with cutting-edge firefighting tenders and modern rescue systems, ensuring that safety protocols meet and often exceed national standards. The successful renewal and increase of flight operations have solidified the airport's role, making it the definitive gateway of the Northeast for greater trade, investment, and tourism.

​Investing in Minds, Not Just Metal

​Governor Kefas understands that infrastructure is only as strong as the people who manage it. The vision transcends the concrete and steel of the tarmac, focusing intensely on human capital development. A profound movement is underway to empower local communities:

​Empowerment in the Air:

Young Tarabans are being rigorously trained and absorbed into critical, specialized roles, spanning aviation support services, emergency response teams, and sophisticated airfield management.

​A Future Built by Hands:

For these bright minds, this initiative provides more than just employment; it provides the dignity of specialized expertise and the foundation for sustainable career paths.
​The administration is not just investing in fixed assets; it is investing in people, technology, and uncompromising safety protocols, purposefully setting the stage for Taraba to become the leading, reliable aviation hub of the region.

​A Center for Collaboration and Policy

​By aggressively pursuing strategic partnerships, Taraba is cementing its role as a think-point—a place where national aviation dialogue, innovative policy ideas, and future technology converge. This commitment ensures the state’s voice is influential in shaping Nigeria's broader aviation future.
​From the breathtaking peaks of the Mambilla Plateau to the reassuring sweep of the Jalingo runway lights, the message is singular and resounding:
​Taraba is not passively waiting for the future to arrive, it is actively, boldly, engineering it.

Joseph Israel
Special Assistant to the Governor of Taraba State on Aviation