ZAMFARA STATE — Governor Dauda Lawal has announced that the long-anticipated Zamfara International Airport is on track for completion within the next four months, marking a significant milestone in the state’s push to attract investors and unlock economic opportunities.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Monday, the governor underscored the urgency of improving access to the state, noting that the current seven-hour road journey from Abuja is a major deterrent to investment—especially amid ongoing security concerns.
“There’s no meaningful investor that would drive from Abuja, for example, all the way to Zamfara by road, spending seven hours,” Lawal said. “You think it’s something any investor would do—with all the challenges of insecurity?”
According to Lawal, the new airport will fundamentally reshape the perception and accessibility of Zamfara, positioning it as a viable hub for commerce and tourism. Once completed, the airport will offer both domestic and international flight capabilities, effectively linking the state to key economic corridors.
“Within the next three to four months, you’ll be able to fly into Zamfara,” he said. “This marks the beginning of great things. The fear of being attacked on the road will become history.”
The airport, launched in June 2024, is part of a broader infrastructure agenda aimed at revitalizing the state. Lawal noted that his administration’s work on roads and flood control in Gusau, the state capital, has already led to improved mobility, job creation, and rising commercial activity.
“When I took over, you couldn’t travel 200 meters in Gusau on a good road. Whenever it rained, the whole place flooded,” Lawal said. “Now, you can see the transformation. It’s driving business and creating jobs.”
The smart airport project is expected to become a cornerstone of Zamfara’s economic resurgence. Lawal emphasized his government’s long-term vision: transforming the state into an investment-friendly destination capable of drawing both domestic and global capital.
“Our commitment is clear—we want Zamfara to be seen as a serious destination for investment. This airport is just one piece of that puzzle.”
With the airport nearing completion, observers say Zamfara could be poised for a major shift in how it is perceived across Nigeria’s economic and political landscape.
