By Sulaimon Olanrewaju
Palpable joy filled Oyo State last Tuesday as the news filtered in that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had approved the commencement of scheduled (commercial) flights operation at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan.
The NCAA, in a letter dated December 16, 2025, communicated its decision to issue provisional interim operational permit for the commencement of commercial flight operations at the airport to the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), noting that it gave the approval after reviewing the updated status of safety-critical facilities, operational arrangements and mitigation measures, which followed recent developments at the aerodrome and the additional information provided by FAAN.
The approval, coming a few days after the assurance given by the chairman of the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Sheik Hashim Atere, that the state’s batch of pilgrims to the 2026 hajj would take off from the airport, threw many people in the state into jubilation, knowing that the plan to turn the 43-year old facility into an international airport was on course.
The airport had to be shut in March 2025 to allow for the upgrade of the facility by the Oyo State Government.
The airport, which was established in 1982, was originally intended to be a regional hub, given the historical antecedent of Ibadan as a nodal city. However, the airport couldn’t rise to the challenge due to some structural and infrastructural constraints.
Consequently, just one airline with small airplanes was operating at the airport until 2019. But as a result of the vision that Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has for the state, he started working with the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), shortly after his assumption of office, to remove the constraints and improve the facilities at the airport.
First, the Seyi Makinde administration donated an operational vehicle and a fire truck to the management of the airport. This enabled the upgrade of the safety status of the airport from Category 5 to Category 6. The administration also remodelled and equipped the Protocol/VIP Lounge and made provisions for its maintenance. Then, it constructed a-500,000-litre aviation fuel storage and dispensing facility at the airport. The fuel storage, which has been concessioned to Bovas Group, is to ensure that aircraft can refuel in Ibadan, thus providing an alternative to airports in Nigeria and other West African countries.
The facility improvement resulted in an upsurge in the number of airlines operating at the airport as well as the number of flights in and out of the airport. With increased activities at the airport, the state government moved to realize its vision of upgrading the airport to international standard.
Explaining the rationale behind the upgrade, Makinde, while speaking at the inauguration of the Bimbo Adekanmbi-led committee, which was constituted to midwife the airport upgrade, said upgrading the Ladoke Akintola Airport to international standard would support his administration’s drive to expand the economy of the state through agribusiness.
He added: “The decision to convert our existing local airport into an international airport was not a hasty one; we are not engaged in a let-me-do-this-because-other-governors-are-doing-it-competition.
“This is a well-thought-out decision based on science, logic and data. This vision is already four years old and we laid the groundwork in our first tenure.”
He also stated, “We have preliminary data to support this move and part of the work this committee will be doing is providing us with the definite numbers through a comprehensive passenger data analysis and ensuring that all the groundwork is laid to fulfill requirements for building an international airport as stipulated by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).”
While speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony of the upgrade in September 2024, Governor Makinde noted that the upgrade would transform the airport into a world-class facility capable of handling both domestic and international flights, with the goal of positioning Oyo State as a leading hub for trade, travel, and investment in Nigeria and across West Africa. He noted that the airport is more than just a transportation facility as it is envisioned to serve as a gateway for trade, tourism, and investment; supporting industrial growth and unlocking new economic frontiers for Oyo State.
The governor said further, “This airport will connect Oyo State to the global market. It will improve ease of doing business, bringing investments into agribusiness, manufacturing and technology sectors and positioning Ibadan as a true regional business hub.”
He described the project as a strategic investment that would be delivered on time and within budget.
Buttressing the governor’s position, Chairman of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport Upgrade Committee and former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Mr Bimbo Adekanmbi, said the project is a testament to the unwavering vision and exceptional leadership of Governor Makinde.
His words: “It is crucial to recognise the pivotal role airports play in the advancement of any region. They are not mere transportation hubs but essential catalysts for economic development, trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.
“In Oyo State, we are incredibly fortunate to have a leader who understands the far-reaching impact of such investments.
“Under the dynamic leadership of Governor Makinde, Oyo State is poised to take a bold leap forward.
“His Excellency has championed the development of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, not just as an infrastructural upgrade, but as a gateway to unlocking the immense economic potential of Oyo State and the entire Southwest region.
“His relentless pursuit of progress, coupled with his profound commitment to enhancing our state’s connectivity, is embodied in this grand project.
“Governor Makinde’s foresight and dedication to ensuring a world-class facility for the people of Oyo State stand as an inspiring example of visionary governance.
“His tireless work ethic and unwavering focus on sustainable development ensure that this airport will become a symbol of progress, prosperity, and pride for us all.”
The state has recorded huge strides in its strive to transform the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport into a world beater. The government has extended the length of the runway from 2,400 metres to 3,000 metres and has also increased the width from 45 to 60 metres, with considerations for the pavement, drainage and embankment protection. The essence of the expansion is for wide-body aircraft to use the airport.
Similarly, the taxiway has been expanded to accommodate bigger aircraft, while the capacity of the apron has been expanded from 25,200sqm to 75,600sqm. In the same vein, the airfield lighting system has been upgraded to Category 2 standards on RWY 22 and Simple Approach on RWY 04. This is to significantly improve visibility and safety during flight operations, allowing 24-hour flight operations at the airport.
In addition, Category 2 Instrument Landing System / Distance Measuring Equipment (CAT II ILS/DME) have been installed. These precision instruments allow for landings to be made with a decision height between 100 and 200 feet and a Runway Visual Range (RVR) between 1200 and 2400 feet.
To beef up security at the airport, the government has constructed a cumulative 8.8km of high steel and block wall fence around the airport. The government has also dualised the road leading to the airport to ease traffic gridlock around the area.
In addition, the capacity of the parking lot has been enhanced to accommodate 1,000 vehicles. The state government has equally provided four vehicles to improve operational capacity of the airport.
A new world-class terminal building is under construction. Once completed in June 2026, the terminal will expand passenger handling capacity of the airport from 100,000 passengers per annum to 1,000,000, thereby positioning Ibadan as a viable alternative to Lagos and Abuja for both passenger and cargo traffic. The terminal will provide operational space for Customs, Immigration, and other border agencies to enable seamless international operations.
The airport upgrade project, fully funded by the Oyo State Government, was strategically implemented in phases to ensure quality and efficiency.
With each phase completed, each milestone achieved, each stride made and each hurdle scaled, the state gets closer to the realization of the vision of having an international airport that is not just a gateway to the world but also a pathway to endless opportunities.
•Dr. Olanrewaju is the Special Adviser (Media) to Oyo State Governor.
