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By Oluseye Ojo
In June this year, it will be 43 years that Ibadan Airport, now known as Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport (SLAA), was commissioned.
For more than 42 years, the airport has remained a domestic aviation facility, with very little traffic. The few airlines – less than five – that have been airlifting passengers in Ibadan have only been serving Lagos and Abuja majorly.
The Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan
At the moment, the game changer brought by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, with the approval of Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, is gathering momentum. The upgrade will be completed latest by March 2026.
By the time the steps come to reality, the airport will not only be serving domestic travellers, international passengers to other parts of Africa, Europe, America, Asia, and other continents of the world will also be given premium services.
Governor Seyi Makinde
The evidence to upgrade the airport from its current local status to an international aviation facility came to the fore recently as massive construction works are currently ongoing to upgrade the existing runway to fit into international standards, get a new terminal building, and other facilities that will make the airport stand shoulder to shoulder with notable international airports in Nigeria and beyond.
But before now, the Makinde administration had put in place two important facilities to prepare the grounds for the upgrade. The two facilities were commissioned in March 2023. They are the 3.2 kilometres dual carriage Ibadan Airport Road named after a former governor of the state, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, and the 500,000 Litres Aviation Fuel Storage and Dispensing Facility located within the Ibadan Airport.
A recent visit by this reporter to the airport revealed that work has gone far on the expansion and elongation of the runway, while the foundation has also been laid for the terminal building for international travellers. t
On a sunny Friday, amidst excitement and anticipation, the ceremony kicked off with the laying of the foundation stone by Mr. Bimbo Adekanmbi, Chairman of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport Upgrade Committee and former Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State.
He stated that the new terminal is set to accommodate at least one million passengers annually, a huge increase from the current capacity of 100,000. He added that the transformative project, being constructed by Messrs Craneburg Construction Limited, is part of a broader strategy launched by Governor Seyi Makinde in September 2024, which saw the runway extended to 3,000 metres from 2,400 metres to meet international standards and cater to larger aircraft.
Adekanmbi emphasised the importance of the airport as more than merely a transportation hub. He drew attention to its role as a vital catalyst for economic development, trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.
Adekanmbi articulated the project’s significance. “This initiative goes beyond just expanding capacity; it is about creating a modern, efficient, world-class airport that enhances the overall travel experience while driving economic growth, attracting investments, and empowering the people of Oyo State.”
According to him, the projected completion date for the entire upgrade is the first quarter of 2026. The upgraded infrastructure, he added, would ease passenger flow dramatically and amplify the airport’s cargo handling capabilities, placing the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport on the map as a top-tier aviation facility in Nigeria.
Governor Seyi Makinde, has also spoken on the upgrade of the airport to international standards. He is optimistic that the upgrade would expand the economy of the state.
Makinde stated: “I have always said that when I leave office, I do not want to be remembered just for the projects. But some projects are dear to my heart. These include the upgrade of Ibadan Airport to an international standard.
“Some people have said it is not a viable project because Ibadan is close to Lagos. That is true; but Ibadan Airport should have been an alternative airport to Lagos from day one.
“When we came in, there was no storage and fuel dispensing facility at the airport. How will it be viable if planes cannot come and refuel in this place? Now, we have put the aviation fuel storage and dispensing facility in there.
“So, we have removed one of the obstacles that have been making the airport not to be viable. We are also extending the runway so that a Boeing 787 will be able to land in the airport shortly.
“We made a terminal that is only good for 100,000 people yearly. We are now building a new terminal that can take over one million passengers through that airport. With what we are doing, Ibadan Airport will be viable and would compete with Lagos Airport.”
The governor noted that the drive time between Ibadan and Lagos is about one hour, which positioned the Ibadan Airport as a viable alternative to Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja.
The Senior Manager at Craneburg Construction, Edmond Maalouf, confirmed the commitment to timely delivery of the project, while Site Engineer, Oliver Makhlouf, provided insight into the ongoing runway upgrades, including extending the runway’s width from 45 metres to 60 metres.
“We are working on a covered section of 700 metres right now, and the aim is to finish this before opening it to further enhancements,” he explained.
The vision of a fully integrated airport that meets international standards is well-supported by industry stakeholders.
According to the brief on the airport project, the width of the runway would be expanded from 45 metres width to 60 metres width. The total length of the extension would move from 2,400 metres to 3,000 metres. The runway structure would also be upgraded to accommodate international aircraft load. The end of the runway safety area would also be extended in accordance to the international standards. The side stripes would also be extended to meet international standards.
It was also disclosed that new airfield lighting CAT-2 would be installed on the runway, end of runway safety areas, the taxiways, and the taxiways links.
The technical details also comprised an additional extension of the apron slab of an area of 70m x 200 = 14,000 m2. The total apron area will become in addition to the existing apron slab (160×50=8,000 m2) 14,000 + 8,000, totalling 22,000 m2.
The service road would be extended from 200 metres length to 360 metres The existing service road would be extended from 200 metres to 360 metres. Also, the two existing taxiway links would be upgraded, such that the capacity to receive heavier aircraft would be improved. Also, there is an introduction of 7.5 metres width shoulders on both sides to increase the width from 23 metres to 38 metres. A third taxiway link would also be introduced in accordance with to international standards.
In the same.vein, representatives of various airlines operating from the airport, including Air Peace, Green Africa Airways, and Overland Airways, expressed their gratitude for the significant upgrades.
Mr. Fidelis Okechukwu, representative of Air Peace, assured of full support of the company to the project. He stated: “On behalf of Air Peace Airline Ibadan, I am here to express our gratitude to the Executive Governor, the Airport Committee, and indeed Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), for the courage, the support and cooperation they’ve taken to execute this huge task.”
Similarly, Mr. Setemi Oyediran of Overland Airways noted, “This great improvement will obviously increase the scope of our operations into the airport and outside the airport.”
The Green Africa Airways representative, Princewill Okezie, articulated the commitment of his airline to support the reinvigoration of the facility.
“Green Africa Airways is committed to carrying people in and out of Ibadan immediately this project is completed. Even, as the project is ongoing, we are still flying in Ibadan.
“Green Africa Airways will support in all areas to make sure that Ibadan Airport becomes what is supposed to be. The facelift of Ibadan Airport is long overdue, and I commend Governor Makinde for this laudable project.”
The Director of Engineering, FAAN, Adejare Abiola, in his address, recognised the relentless support from the Oyo State Government. But he warned against excavation around the perimeter fence of the airport.
He stated: “We want to appreciate the governor for what he has been doing. He has been supporting us. He has donated project vehicles for security patrol.
“Today again, he has fulfilled another promise and we, as FAAN, are ready to support him and the airport. I want to also thank the host community who have been good neighbours to us and, at the same time, appeal to them on the excavation that is ongoing around our perimeter fence.
“By the time the airport is completed, we have to invite the ICAA (International Civil Airports Association) for certification, and some of the things they are going to look at include the safety and security of the airport. So, please, desist from excavating along our fence,” the FAAN chairman said.
Similarly, the Airport Manager, Mr Francis Balogun, commended the state government on the ongoing upgrade of the airport.
Air Vice Marshal Victor Ajiboye, a member of the Airport Upgrade Committee noted that Governor Makinde’s commitment to the upgrade of the airport “will become a symbol of progress, prosperity, and pride for us all.”
The event was attended by Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Prof. Dahud Shangodoyin, and the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, among other officials who listed the importance of the development in ensuring Dr. Duro Ogunsesan, chairman of the Airport Communities, commended the government’s efforts, adding “Governor Makinde has been pivotal in giving the airport a massive facelift and continues to transform the state.”
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