The Oyo State Government has announced that local flight operations will resume at the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan, before the end of 2025.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, who said preparations are in top gear to upgrade the airport to international standards.
Prince Oyelade noted that the upgrade, officially flagged off on September 18, 2024, led to a temporary closure of the airport in March 2025 to allow for intensified construction work.
According to the Commissioner, the scope of work includes extending the runway from 2,400 meters to 3,000 meters and widening it from 45 meters to 60 meters, making it suitable for wide-body aircraft operations.
He added that the airfield lighting system has been upgraded to CAT C standard while fire-fighting and emergency response systems have also been enhanced to ensure high-level safety compliance.
“The state government is also putting necessary infrastructure in place for the operation of key agencies such as Customs, Immigration and others in line with international aviation standards,” he said.
Oyelade revealed that the ongoing runway upgrade, including the apron, taxiway and blast pads, is currently at 55 percent completion and is expected to be fully completed before year-end. He noted that the resumption of domestic flights will, however, be subject to regulatory approval.
The Information Commissioner also gave an update on the construction of the international terminal, which he said is at 15 percent completion and is scheduled to be ready by June 2026.
“These upgrades reflect the government’s vision of transforming the Ibadan Airport into a modern and internationally competitive facility,” he stated. “By enhancing our infrastructure to accommodate larger aircraft, we are not only improving domestic connectivity but also paving the way for global travel.”
Prince Oyelade reaffirmed Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment that the next Hajj flight to Saudi Arabia in 2026 will depart directly from the Ibadan airport.
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