President Bola Tinubu has approved the move to upgrade the Ibadan domestic airport, Alakia, into an international airport.
This development was disclosed by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday in Ibadan.
“The President has graciously approved my request to upgrade Ibadan Airport to an international airport,” Makinde said in a short video circulating on social media.
According to Tinubu’s special assistant on social media, Segun Dada, the Ibadan airport had never been upgraded since its construction in 1982, and is expected to be upgraded with modern facilities due to the state’s potential to attract economic development.
“This, in turn, will catalyze GDP growth in the region and the country,” Dada said.
Perspectives and ongoing efforts
In his bulletin on Thursday, Mr. Makinde explained that upon completion of the airport upgrade, which will include expansion and extension of the runway and general modernization of the facilities, the state will begin receiving international flights from any part of the world to Ibadan.
“It is not a hasty decision. We’re also not just trying to start a project because others are doing the same thing. “This is a well-thought-out decision based on data, science and logic,” the governor said.
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Makinde said the government has completed the 500,000 litre aviation fuel storage and dispensing facility, which has been licensed to the Bovas Group.
“We have also upgraded some of the airport facilities, which has enabled new airlines like Green Africa and Air Peace to include Ibadan in their flight programmes,” the governor said.
“It is a historical fact that Ibadan is a nodal city, where traders came with their caravans. I always remember it when I think of Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam with its motto “See, Buy, Fly”,” explained the governor.