Ekiti Airport in Nigeria

The Ekiti Airport project in Nigeria is still under construction even after its inauguration ceremony, which was hosted in October 2022. The airport was declared open but apparently, there were still certain facilities that are yet to be completed.

According to the project’s coordinator, Bunmi Awotiku, the Ekiti airport is designed to serve both cargo and passengers. He mentioned that the passenger apron is the first one to be completed and it can contain three Boeing 737. While construction on the cargo apron is still ongoing and this facility can accommodate two Boeing 747.

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Awotiku also mentioned that Ekiti Airport doesn’t have a control tower yet. But it would be set up before the airport becomes operational. He said markings for the runway would have been completed earlier, if not for the unfavorable weather conditions. But notwithstanding Awotiku said the construction crew intends to meet the required standards

Reported in 2015

A new airport in Nigeria set to be constructed

The construction of a multi-million dollar new Airport in Nigeria is set to kick off at Ekiti State after a spate of delays. The airport project will be executed on 4000 hectares of land.

The construction project was initially approved in 2009 during the administration of the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, since then the project has experienced neglect due to a lack of political will for its implementation by the previous State’s administrations.

Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has established a planning Committee for the construction of the new airport in Nigeria whereas Mr. Kayode Oso, the State Commissioner for Works, supervises the clearing of the Airport site. Even so, the Committee has widely consulted relevant consulting firms and professionals in regard to the project and also visited several airports in the country for assessment.

Relevant professional bodies have approved the project, hence the commencement of its works. To begin with, 40 hectares of land are being cleared up to give way for the airport construction. It is also expected that in 2 months’ time, the site clearing will be completed for the Governor to flag off the construction works. However, part of Afao-Ekiti, Ijon, and Aso-Ayegunle are communities that would be affected by the site clearing.

As much as the airport project is concerned, the State Governor met is also concerned with the upcoming World Teachers’ Day. In this regard, he met the State principals and headmasters of the State public schools in preparation to celebrate and appreciate teachers as he urged them to ensure that students’ performances in the West African Examination Council and National Examination Council improve in the interest of the State.

However, the State Ministry of Health has also kicked off the screening and interview activity whereby over 2,000 applicants who applied for various health positions in the State Ministry of Health with the Health Management Board for the recruitment of 100 health personnel into consequential vacancies.

According to Dr. Kolawole Aina, the Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary clarified that; those appointed among the job seekers will be strictly based on merit and competence because of the sensitivity of the services they will render to society.

Reported in 2019

Nigeria commences construction of cargo airport project in Ekiti State

The government of Nigeria has commenced construction of cargo airport projects in Etikti State. This is after the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi laid the foundation for the project. Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, the governor said that the project aims at boosting the state’s agricultural, tourism, and educational endowment.

“An airport project has been globally recognized as a catalyst for growth and development, and one in Ekiti will not be an exemption, since it will be fashioned to play dual roles in air transportation,” said Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

“The federal government will support everything about this project, particularly the cargo aspect of it because the good atmospheric condition of Ekiti and the lurching vegetation and good soil will help to produce farm products that can be exported within and outside the country,” he added.

Ekiti Airport

The proposed airport is set to serve the city of Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State. It was initially rejected by the Nigerian Government, citing the project would conflict with plans to upgrade four airports to international standards.

However, In 2015, Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose revisited the project, announcing plans to establish an airport for the state and commissioned the Lands and Housing Directorate to start a survey for an appropriate site.

The project covers about 4,000 acres of land. According to Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, upon completion, it will help to transport a large number of cash crops from the proposed special Agriculture Processing zone (SAPZ) to a different destination and secure early–to–a market advantage for the state’s comprehensive agricultural and industrial development plans.

“The transportation network is a key driver of economic growth, Ekiti is bound to witness rapid economic growth, owing to the construction of the airport and the Lagos-Kano Rail line which will pass through the state too,” said the Minister.

The airport development is being supported by the Federal Government, African Development Bank (AfDB), and Africa Export-Import Bank and is expected to be fully operational in the next 24 months.

March 2021

Ekiti Agro-Allied Cargo Airport construction begins, Ekiti State, Nigeria

The construction of Ekiti Agro-Allied Cargo Airport in Ekiti State in the Southwest region of Nigeria has begun. This is after the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi handed over the site to the main contractor CCECC Nigeria Ltd. The latter is a subsidiary of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation that provides construction and engineering services in the West African country.

During the site handover ceremony, Dr. Fayemi described the project, which mainly entails the construction of 3.2 kilometers runway, as a promise made and kept for the development of the state.

According to Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, the Deputy Governor of the Ekiti State, the construction of the airport’s runway pavement would be completed within a span of 15 months, in line with the timeline agreed with the contractors.

Importance of the Ekiti agro-allied cargo airport

Describing the project as a milestone for his administration and the people of Ekiti, Governor Fayemi noted that the Ekiti agro-allied cargo airport would enable the fast movement of agricultural products to the international market.

He explained that Ekiti, which is mainly an agricultural state, is blessed with hardworking farmers and investors who are ready to produce in commercial quantities, once there is an assurance that their goods will reach local and international markets.

“It is with no doubt, that Ekiti is a landlocked state that borders other landlocked states such as Kwara, Osun, and Edo, except Ondo has a sea. This situation has made it difficult for our people and people of the neighboring states to transport goods, especially agricultural products, to local and international markets.

“The establishment of this agro-allied cargo airport will also help improve the socio-economic development of our state when fully completed,” concluded the Governor.