Taraba State celebrated a significant milestone as Vice President Kashim Shettima officially inaugurated the rehabilitated Danbaba Suntai Airport in Jalingo, marking a new era of connectivity and economic growth for the region. The upgraded airport, named after the late Governor Danbaba Suntai, is set to enhance Taraba’s position as a hub for business and tourism.
The renovation, spearheaded by Governor Agbu Kefas, included a comprehensive overhaul of the runway, terminal facilities, and safety systems, with the addition of two state-of-the-art firefighting trucks to ensure operational excellence. Shettima, arriving at 10:17 AM on May 21, 2025, for the Taraba International Investment Summit, praised the state’s commitment to infrastructure development. The summit, themed “Unlocking Taraba’s Investment Potentials – Advancing Agriculture, Energy, Mining and Industrialisation,” showcased the airport’s role in attracting investors to the state’s rich agricultural and mineral resources.
The upgraded airport is expected to facilitate smoother travel, boost trade, and create job opportunities, particularly for Taraba’s youth, through planned aviation training programs. Local leaders, including Deputy Governor Aminu Alkali, expressed optimism about the economic ripple effects, with businesses already anticipating increased activity. This achievement reflects Taraba’s forward-thinking vision, positioning it as a gateway to Nigeria’s northeast and a beacon of progress for the nation.