…set to be Nigeria’s first with an operating permit
Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
The Ogun State government has declared the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport as the best in Nigeria and the West African sub-region, boasting the longest runway and advanced facilities.
This was disclosed during a meeting with the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) at the airport, hosted by Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya; Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo; Airport Manager, Captain Dapo Olumide; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade.
Engr. Akinsanya highlighted that the airport, now 95-98% complete, features a 4-kilometer-long and 60-meter-wide runway capable of accommodating wide-bodied aircraft like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350. This, he said, makes it the largest runway in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
“The total size of the airport spans 5,000 hectares, with the first phase covering 900 hectares. The airport’s master plan includes future developments like hotels, amusement parks, and cinemas, positioning it as an aerotropolis,” Akinsanya explained.
He added that the airport is ready for commercial operations, pending final approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and currently holds authorization for chartered flights.
Captain Olumide emphasized the uniqueness of the project, revealing that the airport is set to become the first in Nigeria to operate under the stringent ENCAS 2023 operating permit standards, as opposed to the conventional Aerodrome Certificate.
“The shift to an operating permit underscores the government’s commitment to achieving higher standards in aviation safety and efficiency. This has slightly extended the project timeline but ensures a more robust certification,” Olumide explained.
Commissioner Dairo further noted that the airport is situated in a designated Special Agricultural Processing Zone, one of eight across Nigeria, and described it as a legacy project of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Meanwhile, LAAC members praised the airport’s design and facilities, scoring it an A-plus during an on-the-spot assessment. The league’s Chairman, Suleiman Idris, commended Governor Abiodun’s visionary leadership, describing the airport as a futuristic project poised to benefit not just Ogun State but the entire South-West region.
Governor Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure, stressing that the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport will serve as a hub for economic growth and development in the region.