President Bola Tinubu has approved the upgrade of Ibadan Airport, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde announced on Wednesday.
The governor stated that his administration’s attempts to improve Ibadan Airport, Alakia, to an international airport had achieved excellent results, and that the upgrade would begin within the next three weeks.
Governor Makinde made this known when he met with Air Marshal Hassan Baba Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff, at the Executive Chamber, Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
According to the governor, the project would entail the construction of a new terminal, runway, and other structural characteristics, which would be managed by specialists and completed to standard.
According to the governor, his administration has spent the previous five years revitalizing the state’s economy and has identified the need to renovate the Ibadan Airport as a key component of its economic expansion strategy.
He added that his government’s determination to build infrastructure that promotes economic growth has resulted in investments in the 110-kilometer Ibadan Circular Road and that the administration would consider the Air Force’s request for land for its post-retirement housing scheme along the Circular Road corridor.
“We’ve been talking to the Presidency, and we received word early this week that the President has generously approved my request to modernize Ibadan Airport,” he stated.
"I’ll be in Abuja soon to acquire the approval docs. And within three weeks, we’ll begin the project. We will extend the runway and construct a new terminal.
“Since I took office, this administration has prioritized education, agriculture, health, and economic development.”
The governor, who praised the Chief of Staff for his officers’ efforts to safeguard Oyo State through collaboration with sister security agencies, advised the Force and the state’s people to preserve their cordial relationship.
According to the governor, the Air Force has been a significant contributor to the maintenance of internal security in Oyo State, with personnel working closely with Operation Burst.
He also stated that his administration remains dedicated to working with the Air Force to deliver to the Air Force Base in Ajia, Ibadan and that his promise of a fast completion of the road leading to the base will be kept.
He also stated that the government is repairing several roads along the Air Force Base axis to facilitate the movement of personnel and equipment, mentioning the Ajia-Airport Road with a spur to Amuloko and the Amuloko-Dagbolu-Ijebu Igbo Roads.
Earlier in his speech, Air Marshal Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff, praised the governor as a visionary leader and thanked him for his support of the Air Force.
He praised the governor’s efforts to promote economic growth and security in the state, saying that the acquisition of 60 hectares of land for the Air Force Base at Ajia and the provision of security operations vehicles were praiseworthy.
Abubakar, on the other hand, encouraged the governor to expedite work on the ongoing 10km Ajia-Airport Road to facilitate the mobility of his Force’s activities, saying that the Force would continue to support the state while also strengthening the mutual relationship.