Tinubu approves upgrade of Ibadan airport to International Airport – Makinde

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the Ibadan Domestic Airport, Alakia, to an international airport.

He made this known on Wednesday, while receiving the Chief of Air Staff of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF), Air Marshal Hassan Baba Abubakar who paid him a courtesy visit at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.

Governor Makinde said he would be heading to the Federal Capital Territory Abuja later today to get necessary documentation to that effect, assuring that work on the project would commence as soon all documentation had been perfected.

He said further that the runway will be expanded and a new terminal will be built when the project commences, adding that a team had been constituted to implement the project which he said would boost the economy of the state.

Governor Makinde solicited the input of personnel of the Air Force in the state in ensuring that the project meets the required operating standards.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Baba Abubakar earlier in his remarks, said he was in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital as part of operational tour to Air Force formations across the country.

He commended Governor Makinde for his administration’s support to the armed forces especially the Air Force Base in the state.

Gentechnews recall that the ninth Senate urged the Ministry of Aviation and other relevant authorities to upgrade the Ibadan Domestic Airport, Alakia, to the status of an international airport.

The resolutions followed the presentation of a motion sponsored by Senator Kola Balogun (PDP-Oyo South) during plenary on “The need to upgrade the airport with modern facilities.”

The motion was co-sponsored by 37 senators.

Balogun moved the motion, saying that the airport needed to be upgraded with modern facilities because of Ibadan’s potential to attract economic development both locally and internationally.