Ogun Airport, fastest built aerodrome in Nigeria, as commercial flight services begin

• Project, outcome of hard work, says Gov.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described the Gateway International Airport, Iperu-Ilishan, as one of the fastest constructed airports in Nigeria, built within four years, adding that the dream of the state is to ensure that its multi-modal transportation connects road, rail, air and water.

The Governor who spoke at the inaugural flight of ValueJet’s operations to the airport, signaling commencement of commercial flight said, “Our vision for Ogun State, which we encapsulated as that which would provide a focused and cohesive governance, while creating an enabling environment for public-private sector partnership, which we believe is fundamental to the economic growth of the state and the individual prosperity of every citizen of Ogun State.”

He further stated that the government left nothing unturned in building what he called a state-of-the-art facility, including cargo operations, cargo warehouse, noting, “For security, we have purpose-built offices and accommodation for all the law enforcement architecture. We are even bringing the airport to these premises. We have Nigerian customs here as well”.

“In terms of aviation equipment, we brag and beat our chest as having probably one of the best in the country; our instrument landing system is really functional; our runway lights are probably the best category in Nigeria. Our control tower is like no other. And you can see this terminal building speaks for itself. We have ensured that we complied with all the required safety protocols.”

He expressed gratitude to the aviation consultants, like a former Managing Director of Virgin Nigeria, Capt. Dapo Olumide, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Tayib Odunowo, a former Acting Director-General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Benedict Odunowo, who, he said, were drafted to ensure the successful completion of the airport project.

Going back memory lane, the governor said, “Like I always say, when vision meets passion, the result is what you see here. I want to thank all those who have worked very hard on this project. From day one, my commissioner worked so hard.”

“We came here and did a small ground-breaking. We needed to prove all the naysayers wrong—the commissioners for Transport, Finance, the contractors, members of my team and our consultants. We have Captain Dapo Olumide, and we have Engr. Toyib Odunowo, we have Engr. Benedict Adeyileka and a host of others. But the regulators are the ones I want to thank very profusely.”

He also expressed gratitude to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, for his passionate monitoring of the project, stressing that every time he called the Minister, he would direct the regulators to be present to check every step and ensure full compliance.

He said he wasn’t surprised by the quality of facilities because of the NCAA’s strict monitoring of the project.

  The Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo corroborated the governor, saying he started the airport project in 2021, describing it as the “fastest one we have seen in the creation of airports”.

“As a regulator, we made sure that everything was done according to regulations. We didn’t leave any stone unturned, and he attested to that. We will continue our oversight functions to make sure that they remain resolute and safe.”

“If other states want to do the same, they must make sure they take value from what Ogun State has done. One thing is to start a project, it is another thing to go with the project and see to the project and make sure that you go about with regulations”, he added.

Wole Shadare