Gov Makinde Marks Second Stage of Ibadan Airport Upgrade
Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde, marked the second stage of the upgrade of Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan, by laying the foundation for its new international terminal.
This much was confirmed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in a statement released on Friday.
Oyelade emphasized that with the commencement of runway and infrastructure upgrades to the facility in 2024, the airport is set to meet international standards.
Airlines and stakeholders were well represented at the foundation-laying ceremony.
He went on to explain that the airport will offer international flight options for Oyo residents and neighbouring states once the upgrade is complete.
“In September 2024, we marked the beginning of this ambitious transformation with the extension of the runway to 3,000 metres, meeting international standards and regulatory requirements to accommodate larger aircraft.
“We are proud of the progress made thus far, but today, we take another giant leap forward with the foundation-laying of the new terminal building, a crucial component of our upgrade plan.
“Once completed, this state-of-the-art terminal building will accommodate up to one million passengers annually, a massive increase from the current capacity of 100,000.
“The project, which will be delivered by Craneburg Construction Company Limited, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.
“This will not only ease the flow of passengers but will also boost the airport’s cargo handling capacity, positioning Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport as a top-tier facility in Nigeria,” Oyelade said.
Recall that the groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of the project was held on September 18, 2024.
At the ceremony, Makinderevealed that the upgrade would be carried out in two major stages. The first phase including runway improvements, airport lighting upgrades, and fire service enhancements.
The Governor outlined that the second phase will involve the construction of the new international terminal and other related infrastructure.
