Pius Nsabe
This will definitely be a cheery news for residents of Oyo State and environs as date for flights to resume operations at the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan, Oyo State, which had been under intense renovation, has been announced.
This latest update was given in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan, the state capital, on Monday. In the statement, the commissioner explained that activities are in top gear to upgrade the airport to an international standard and would begin operations in early 2026.
Oyelade said the airport’s ongoing upgrades include extending the runway from 2,400 meters to 3,000 meters and widening it from 45 to 60 meters to accommodate wide-body aircraft for international flights.
The commissioner noted that the airfield lighting system has been updated to CAT C standards and the fire-fighting response has been upgraded to ensure a robust safety profile. He stated that facilities were being put in place for Customs, Immigration, and other key agencies to meet international standards.
Oyelade informed that the runway upgrade, apron, taxiway, and blast pads among others which currently stand at 55% will be completed before the end of the year and local flights should resume thereafter subject to approval of the relevant regulatory authorities.
“The International Terminal construction is currently at 15% completion and will be ready by June 2026 for such flights.
“These upgrades reflect the government’s vision of transforming the Ibadan Airport into a modern and internationally competitive facility.
“By enhancing our infrastructure to accommodate larger aircraft, we are not only improving domestic connectivity but also paving the way for global travel.”
The commissioner reiterated the promise of Governor Seyi Makinde that the next Hajj flight to Saudi Arabia next year will be from the airport.
The airport upgrade was officially flagged off on September 18, 2024, while the airport was shut down in March 2025 to intensify work on the project.
In announcing the closure of the airport on March 23, the Federal Aiprot Authority, FAAN, had said in a statement, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the temporary closure of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport (SLAA), Ibadan, due to ongoing upgrade works.
“As part of the Oyo State Government’s initiative to upgrade Ibadan Airport from a domestic to an international airport, various improvements and remodelling works are currently underway.
“In compliance with aviation safety recommended standards and processes, the closure became imperative to ensure the safety of passengers as well as airport personnel.”
This initiative by the Oyo State Government in taking up a federal airport for repairs, highlights the impact the collaboration between the federal and state governments can have on the on improvement of public infrastructure and by extension, on the lives of the citizens.
