EKITI State on Wednesday achieved a major milestone in its infrastructure development as Governor Biodun Oyebanji formally welcomed the first commercial flight into the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, describing the event as “a new chapter in the state’s journey towards prosperity.”
The colourful ceremony, held at the airport terminal in Ado-Ekiti, signalled the commencement of commercial passenger flights and marked the state’s long-awaited entry into the aviation industry, an accomplishment the governor emphasised as the product of the collective vision of multiple administrations and partners.
The aircraft, operated by United Nigeria Airlines, a fast-growing indigenous carrier, touched down at exactly 11:00am, carrying an impressive delegation of notable Ekiti leaders, including former governors Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Adeniyi Adebayo, and Ayodele Fayose, along with Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and other National Assembly members.
In his address, Governor Oyebanji traced the origin and evolution of the project, acknowledging successive administrations for their roles: Engr. Segun Oni, who conceived the idea; former Governor Ayodele Fayose, who acquired and cleared the airport site; and Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who commenced actual construction work in 2019.
He described the airport as a collective legacy of at least three governors, and paid glowing tribute to the founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, calling the day “a celebration of shared determination.”
Oyebanji reserved special appreciation for President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support, declaring that without the president, alongside Fayemi and Babalola, the project would have remained a pipe dream.
The governor also gave a detailed financial breakdown of the airport’s development, revealing that the state expended about N14 billion between May 2019 and October 2022 under the Fayemi administration. The funds, he explained, covered compensation, site preparation, approvals, runway and pavement construction, terminal building works, aprons, power facilities, access roads, and initial firefighting equipment.
Upon assuming office in October 2022, Oyebanji said his government invested an additional N34 billion to complete critical outstanding works. He said, “The outstanding works include external and internal perimeter fencing; completion of the terminal building and control tower; service roads, runway strip, drainages and erosion control; Fire Station, meteorological station, emergency operations centre and clinic.”
Others, he said, are “police outpost and airport main gate; procurement of more aviation equipment, including airfield lighting, scanners and baggage handling systems; second firefighting truck; Instrument Landing System (ILS) and ongoing construction of staff quarters.”
With the airport, he said, “we are bringing the markets closer to our people and the world closer to Ekiti.” He urged residents of the state to seize the opportunities that air connectivity brings and tap into the unimaginable economic potential the aviation sector offers.
Oyebanji particularly praised Aare Afe Babalola for his “selfless and unprecedented contributions,” noting that the legal icon donated vital navigational aids, including CVOR/DME and control tower equipment worth $1.6 million. According to him, he also built a 100-capacity car park valued at N356.8 million.
Former governors Adebayo, Fayose, Fayemi and Oni, in their separate remarks, applauded Governor Oyebanji’s commitment to completing the airport project, stressing that the commencement of commercial flights would open the state to vast economic opportunities.
