Cargo flights to begin at Gateway International airport soon – Abiodun

Cargo operations are expected to begin at the Gateway International Airport within the next 30 to 45 days, with the first cargo aircraft from Europe projected to land at the facility.

Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed this during an inspection tour of the Industrial Platform at the Remo Free Trade Zone along the Sagamu–Ijebu-Ode Expressway.
The Industrial Platform, Remo, is a Special Agro-Processing Zone located between Iperu and Ilishan. Conceived toward the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project is aimed at driving agro-industrial development and positioning Ogun State as a major processing and export hub.

Abiodun said the access road linking the Sagamu–Benin Expressway directly to the airport would soon be opened, noting that global standards require airport roads to run straight from major highways. The road also passes through the processing zone, showcasing ongoing industrial activities.

He explained that the initiative was originally introduced by the African Development Bank and later developed into the Industrial Platform. The governor expressed optimism that the first processing company in the zone would be commissioned within months, as several firms have already begun construction.

During the visit, he inspected a 6,800-square-metre warehouse under construction and praised the rapid pace of work. He noted that the administration deliberately designed the zone as an integrated ecosystem where farming and processing operate side by side to boost efficiency and value addition.

The free trade zone, he added, will have dedicated power supply, waste management systems, an independent administrative structure, and strong security architecture. It is also expected to host what he described as the world’s largest cotton garment processing factory, creating significant employment opportunities.

Abiodun said the project was executed in partnership with a firm experienced in similar developments across Africa, describing it as the Ogun State–Arise collaboration. He also commended Bola Ahmed Tinubu for federal support, emphasizing that sound macroeconomic policies are key to driving industrial growth, job creation, and improved household prosperity.