Ibadan’s SLA International Airport: A Symbol Of Makinde’s Commitment To Economic Growth

IBADAN – There is no doubt that Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde is doing everything pos­sible to expand the economy of the state, as this can be attested to by numerous infrastructural projects put in place to enhance ease of doing business for inter­ested foreign and indigenous investors.

One of the projects that Gov­ernor Makinde will be remem­bered for in the history of Oyo State is the upgrade of Ibadan Airport now known as Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport to in­ternational airport.

This development is anoth­er win for Oyo State under the administration of Engr Seyi Makinde, and it is also histor­ic in the aviation industry of the country. With the Federal government approval, Gover­nor Seyi Makinde’s vision of upgrading the Samuel Ladoke Akintola (SLA) airport Ibadan to an international airport is fast becoming a reality.

Governor Makinde in Sep­tember 2024 performed the ground breaking ceremony of the first phase for the upgrade of the airport to international status. This project comprises extension of the runway from 2,400 metres to 3,000 meters with a width increase from 45 meters to 60 meters.

To express his commitments to the project, and also ensure transparency, Governor Ma­kinde appointed a chieftain of All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state who was a former commissioner for Finance during the late Governor Abi­ola Ajimobi administration, Mr Bimbo Adekanbi as the Chair­man of the committee for the SLA Airport Upgrade Project.

Just last week, Governor Makinde commenced the second phase of the upgrade with a foundation laying ceremony of the new inter­national terminal building. While the first phase would be completed by September this year, the second phase which is expected to span 18 months is in line with Gover­nor Seyi Makinde’s vision of redefining the aviation land­scape for opportunities that would engender growth and connectivity to the world.

Speaking shortly after the foundation laying ceremony of the project, Mr. Bimbo Adekan­bi gave an overview of the proj­ect and its viability, affirming that the effort is another giant leap forward and a crucial com­ponent of the airport upgrade plan.

Adekanbi noted that the new Terminal Building, which will be constructed by Messrs Craneburg Con­struction Ltd, represented a major transformation and a testament to the unwavering vision and exceptional lead­ership of Governor Makinde. He maintained that the proj­ect is expected to be complet­ed in the first quarter of 2026, that it will 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.

“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. His relentless pursuit of progress, coupled with his pro­found commitment to enhanc­ing our state’s connectivity, is embodied in this grand project.

“Governor Makinde’s fore­sight and dedication to ensur­ing a world-class facility for the people of Oyo State stand as an inspiring example of visionary governance.

“His tireless work ethic and unwavering focus on sus­tainable development ensure that this airport will become a symbol of progress, pros­perity, and pride for us all. The government had made tre­mendous progress in the first phase of the upgrade project, explaining that the state-of-the-art Terminal Building that will be delivered in the first quarter of 2026 will accommodate up to one million passengers annual­ly, which is a massive increase from the current capacity of 100,000.

“This initiative goes be­yond just expanding capacity; it is about creating a modern, efficient, and world-class air­port that enhances the over­all travel experience while driving economic growth, attracting investments, and empowering the people of Oyo State. With Governor Seyi Ma­kinde at the helm, the vision of a fully integrated, globally competitive airport is becom­ing a reality.

“Oyo State Government remains steadfast in its dedica­tion to improving infrastruc­ture, fostering economic op­portunities, and ensuring sustainable development for all. Through projects like this, we are not only investing in physical struc­tures but also in the future prosperity and well-being of our citizens.

“With Governor Seyi Makinde leading the way, we are confident that the best is yet to come,” Adekanbi said.

While conducting jour­nalists and other stake­holders’ round the proj­ect, the Senior Manager, Craneburg Construction, Edmond Maalouf main­tained that the project will be delivered on time, while the Site Engineer, Oliver Makhlouf, explained the success so far recorded on the upgrade of the airport runway.

Speaking with journalists on the project, the Director of Engineering of the Federal Airport Authority (FAAN), Engr. Adejare Abiola, who rep­resented the chairman of the organisation, lauded Governor Makinde for his efforts towards turning around the fortune of the Ibadan Airport.

“We want to appreciate the Executive Governor of the state 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 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.

When completed, the SLA International Airport will boost economic activities in Oyo State and the entire South West es­pecially in the area of tourism, hospitality, housing, transporta­tion and social activities such as night life among others, as well as providing ease of doing busi­ness for both foreign and indig­enous investors in the state and the region at large.