Makinde pledges another upgrade of Ibadan Airport in 12 months
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has announced that his administration will complete the upgrade of the Ibadan Airport, now renamed Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, to international standards within the next 12 months.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the airport upgrade yesterday, Makinde revealed that the first phase of the project has been awarded to Craneburg at a cost of N41 billion. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the state’s request to enhance the facility.
Makinde highlighted the rationale behind the airport upgrade, emphasizing that the decision was grounded in thorough research, data, and logic.
He noted that a portion of the airport’s facilities had already been upgraded, resulting in an increase in the number of airlines that now include Ibadan in their flight schedules.
“Anyone questioning what we are doing should look at Angola, where they recently completed their airport at a cost of $3 billion. This is no small feat. If we want to tap into a $3 billion industry, we must be bold, and we are bold here in Oyo State,” Makinde stated.
The governor invited critics to present any contradictory data and offered to engage in a public debate on the decision. “We take decisions based on logic, science, and data. This project is backed by solid data and logic. If anyone has different data, we are open to public discourse,” he said, adding that the airport upgrade will be delivered within the promised timeline.
Osun State Governor Adeleke commended Makinde for his commitment to the development of Oyo State, praising his passion for improving infrastructure and the well-being of the people across all sectors.
The event was attended by notable figures, including Osun State Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke, the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ilyas Damagum, members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), and other dignitaries.
