Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has announced that the state has spent N49.7 billion on the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, which officially commenced commercial flight operations on Wednesday.
Speaking at the airport along Ado–Ijan Road during the inauguration ceremony, Oyebanji said previous administrations invested N14 billion in the project, while his government contributed over N34 billion in the last three years to complete civil works, installations, and regulatory requirements.
The airport was first initiated under former Governor Ayodele Fayose in 2019, with progress made under Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who facilitated a test flight. Oyebanji’s administration completed the project, following approval for non-scheduled flight operations late last year, leading to the commercial launch.
The inaugural flight, operated by United Nigeria Airlines, carried passengers from Abuja, including Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Yakubu Adam Kofarmata. The aircraft later departed Ekiti for Lagos with another set of passengers.
Oyebanji detailed that the N14 billion spent by previous administrations covered compensation, site clearing, regulatory approvals, and key infrastructure, including the runway, terminal building, parts of the control tower, service roads, fencing, and aprons. His administration’s N34 billion focused on completing the terminal and control tower, runway strip, perimeter fencing, drainage, earthworks, and embankments.
The state also installed an Instrument Landing System and partnered with Reeve Energy Nigeria Ltd. under a PPP arrangement to build an aviation fuel tank. Construction of airport staff quarters is ongoing. “In total, N49.774 billion has been expended directly by the Ekiti State Government,” the governor said.
Oyebanji acknowledged contributions from previous administrations, describing the project as a “collective legacy,” and praised Aare Afe Babalola for donating navigational equipment worth $1.6 million and constructing a 100-car parking lot valued at N356.7 million. “With this airport, we are bringing markets closer to our people and the world closer to Ekiti,” he added.
Representing the Minister of Aviation, Yakubu Adam Kofarmata called the launch a “historic milestone” and highlighted its potential to boost job creation and aviation growth. Former Governor Fayemi lauded Oyebanji for completing the project despite fiscal constraints.
CCECC Nigeria Ltd., the main contractor, said the airport would spur employment, tourism, logistics, global exports, and agricultural investment, dubbing it a “new sky gateway” for Ekiti. United Nigeria Airlines also announced upcoming student flight discounts.
Dignitaries at the event included former Ekiti governors Niyi Adebayo and Ayodele Fayose, all National Assembly members from the state, commissioners, and former deputy governors Abiodun Aluko and Paul Alabi.
