By Iyabo Adebisi
As part of Oyo State Government’s ongoing effort to upgrade the Samuel Akintola Airport, Alakia, Ibadan, to international standard, Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has turned the sod for a new Terminal Building that would accommodate at least one million passengers annually.
Chairman of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport Upgrade Committee and former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Mr Bimbo Adekanmbi who performed the foundation-laying ceremony said the effort is another giant leap forward and a crucial component of the airport upgrade plan.
He maintained that the new terminal represented a major transformation and a testament to the unwavering vision and exceptional leadership of Governor Makinde.
According to Mr Adekanmbi,the project expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026 would ease the flow of passengers, boost the airports cargo handling capacity and position the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport as a top-tier facility in Nigeria.
He said: “Today, we embark on a remarkable journey that will redefine the aviation landscape of this region, opening up new horizons of opportunity, growth, connectivity- the commencement of the construction of a new terminal building at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport.
“This event represents not only the start of a major transformation but also a testament to the unwavering vision and exceptional leadership of our Governor, His Excellency Engineer Seyi Makinde.
“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.
Mr Adekanmbi, who stated that the government had made tremendous progress in the first phase of the upgrade project, explained that the state-of-the-art Terminal Building when completed would accommodate up to one million passengers annually, which is a massive increase from the current capacity of 100,000.
In a remark, the chairman of the Airport Communities, Dr Duro Ogunsesan, hailed Governor Makinde for giving the airport a massive facelift, noting that the governor has been transforming the state.
Also speaking, the Senior Manager of the Construction company handling the project, Edmond Maalouf, said the project would be delivered on time.
Earlier, the Director of Engineering of the Federal Airport Authority (FAAN), Adejare Abiola, who represented the chairman of the organisation, lauded Governor Makinde for his efforts towards turning around the fortune of the Ibadan Airport.
Representatives of various airlines operating from the airport, including Air Peace, Green Africa, Overland as well as the representative of BOVAS, which operates the 500,000-litre Aviation Fuel Facility earlier constructed by the state government, also lauded the state government on the project.
It would be recalled that Governor Seyi Makinde launched the first phase of the airport upgrade project in September 2024 with the extension of the runway to 3,000 metres to meet international standards and regulatory requirements to accommodate larger aircraft.
Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group.
