Makinde set to flag off Ibadan Airport upgrade on Wednesday

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is set to flag off the upgrade of Ibadan Airport, Alakia, to international status on Wednesday.

This development follows weeks after the governor inaugurated an 11-member committee to oversee the project’s implementation. The committee, led by former Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bimbo Adekanmbi, has been tasked with ensuring the timely delivery of the project.

The upgrade was greenlit by the Federal Government after several efforts by the Oyo State Government, aligning with Governor Makinde’s vision to boost the state’s economy by enhancing the airport’s capabilities.

Speaking during the committee’s inauguration on July 30, Governor Makinde highlighted the strategic importance of the airport upgrade, particularly in supporting the state’s agribusiness initiatives.

He stated, “The decision to convert our existing local airport into an international one was not a hasty one. It is not about competing with other governors. This is a well-thought-out decision based on science, logic, and data. This vision has been in development for four years, and we laid the groundwork in our first tenure.”

Governor Makinde also pointed to specific achievements in preparation for the airport’s upgrade, including the completion of a 500,000-litre aviation fuel storage and dispensing facility, which has been concessioned to Bovas Group, and upgrades to existing facilities, which have increased the number of airlines operating flights to and from Ibadan.

The upgrade is expected to provide a significant boost to the state’s economic growth and improve its standing as a key hub for business and tourism.