Zamfara State Government has signed an Air Route Development Partnership Agreement with XEJet Limited for the commencement of scheduled commercial flights between Gusau International Airport and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in a move aimed at improving the state’s connectivity and supporting investment and business activity.
Under the agreement, XEJet will operate twice-weekly flights on the Gusau-Abuja route, with commercial services scheduled to commence in October.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Zamfara State Government by Abubakar Mohammed Nakwada, secretary to the state government, at a ceremony chaired by Mani Mummuni, deputy governor of Zamfara State.
The state government said the new route would make Zamfara more accessible to investors, businesses and visitors while strengthening the movement of people and goods into and out of the state.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mummuni said the Gusau International Airport was constructed from scratch and completed within two years as part of efforts to improve transportation infrastructure and facilitate economic activity in the state.
He said the airport was designed to make the movement of people and goods easier and more efficient, while providing infrastructure capable of supporting the state’s economic ambitions.
According to him, the commencement of scheduled commercial flights represents an important step in making Zamfara more accessible to potential investors.
Mummuni said Governor Dauda Lawal had been actively seeking international investors and donor agencies, adding that improved air connectivity would strengthen the state’s ability to engage with prospective investors and development partners.
“Improving access to the state remains a priority,” the deputy governor said, stressing that better connectivity would help create a more favourable environment for business growth and investment.
The Gusau-Abuja service is expected to provide a direct scheduled air link between the state capital and Nigeria’s political and administrative centre.
With the route, the government is seeking to ensure that the newly completed airport functions not only as a transport facility but also as part of the infrastructure supporting investment, trade and economic development.
The administration has linked improved accessibility to its broader efforts to attract international investors and donor agencies, with air connectivity expected to ease the movement of potential investors and other stakeholders into the state.
The route development partnership consequently places greater emphasis on the economic value of connectivity, as Zamfara seeks to use its new airport to open the state to wider business and investment opportunities.
