Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Domestic Airport, Alakia, Ibadan to an international airport.
This was made known by Makinde Wednesday at the State’s Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
“We have received approval from His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to upgrade the Ibadan Airport into an international airport. We will be expanding the runway and building an additional terminal,” the Governor disclosed while receiving the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar and his entourage on a courtesy visit.
The ninth Senate has called on the Federal Ministry of Aviation and other relevant authorities to upgrade the Ibadan Domestic Airport, Alakia, to the status of an international airport. This decision was reached following the presentation of a motion by Senator Balogun Ademola (PDP-Oyo South) during plenary on “The need to upgrade the Airport with modern facilities.”
The motion garnered support from 37 senators who co-sponsored it.
Ademola moved the motion, emphasizing that the upgrade of the Ibadan Domestic Airport, Alakia, with modern facilities is crucial due to Ibadan’s potential to attract economic development on both local and international scales.
“Hosting an international airport in Ibadan will propel the tourist sector and provide a communication link which is vital between different groups of people involved within the region.
“The upgrade will also attract foreign investments to the region and ultimately increase the gross domestic product of Nigeria.”
The Ibadan Airport was unveiled by the former Senate President, Joseph Wayas, in June 1982 and has never been upgraded.
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