BY ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA
When the bold move to build an airport in Ekiti State taken by the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, it was received with skepticism in many quarters. A lot of people took it with a pinch of salt because it’s a huge project that many believed the capacity of the State would not be able to hear.
But the administration which had the incumbent Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, as the Secretary to the State Government pursued the goal with gusto and succeeded in putting in place a structure that saw to the first landing of an aircraft on 15th October, 2022.
With his inauguration as the Governor a day later (16th October, 2022), one of the key priorities of Oyebanji was to ensure that the airport was equipped with facilities that would make it to receive the approval of key aviation agencies for it to be passed fit for seamless flight operations.
That was what Oyebanji has been diligently working upon and one after the other, the facility was taking more shape with each stage subjected to the scrutiny of the aviation authorities. The Governor never rested in committing financial, human and material resources to it to get to the level it has reached now.
With the construction of the control tower, fire station and installation of more navigational aids, some of the aviation formalities like calibration and approval for non-commercial flights followed and the eventual approval for commercial flights has crowned Oyebanji’s efforts.
You will agree with me that this is another important gain of continuity that the majority of the people of Ekiti State voted for in the 2022 governorship election. The airport could have become an abandoned project if a government of another party that does not believe in the vision had won the last governorship election.
Nobody believed that this monumental feat would be possible few years ago. But with steely determination, tenacity of purpose and pursuit of a laudable vision, it has become a possibility. Kudos to Governor Oyebanji for pursuing the dream to fruition.
One of the most heartwarming news emanating from Ekiti State in recent times is the official approval granted the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, Ado Ekiti to commence full-blown commercial flights effective from 4th of October, 2025. This is a great and monumental achievement.
This is a great breakthrough for a state that is landlocked, a state that is not littoral; in other words, a state that does not have a direct contact with the sea or ocean. It is another means of opening up Ekiti to the outside world and a boost for job creation, agriculture, commerce, tourism and air travel.
The approval followed an initial nine months of non-scheduled approval to cater for chartered flights which is the aviation industry’s best practice to allow new airports to test their procedures and systems before commencement of more demanding general passenger flights.
With the approval comes a wide range of opportunities for the State and its indigenes, and there are prospects for increased benefits chief of which is job creation. The airport management team engaged by the State, recently gave direct employment to over 130 indigenes to man various positions at the airport.
There are other businesses that thrive in the vicinity of any airport all over the world that that of Ekiti will not be an exception. The airport is a nectar that attracts other goodies as the relationship is expected to be a symbiotic one.
These include aviation-related job opportunities from the airlines, aviation fuel company, tourism, transportation, hospitality and other businesses to be established in the airport environment.
The huge revenue the airport will bring to the coffers of Ekiti State is another major gain through unlocking new streams of income through innovation and the education economy which the famed Fountain of Knowledge is known for as a mainstay of its economy.
Giving an account of his stewardship to the people of the state in the State of the State Address delivered inside the hallowed chambers of the House of Assembly on the 16th of October, 2025, the Governor spoke of an arrangement being brokered by his administration with an airline to commence commercial flights in November.
He said: “In this regard, we are partnering with a commercial airline, to be unveiled soon, to commence flights to and from Ado Ekiti, Abuja and Lagos in the first instance at least 3 times a week beginning from 1st or 2nd week of November 2025. Other airlines will join these routes and others to be developed as time goes on and as demand dictates.”
As if that was not enough, the Governor in the address also disclosed that his administration has paid for the installation of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the airport to foster the possibility of 24-hours flight operations and for all weather conditions.
This is aimed at making landing and taking off possible at every hour of the day with the long-term ambition of making Ekiti becoming a second major regional hub in the Southwest. With its potentials in agriculture, mineral exploration and tourism with its multiple layers-leisure, education, religious, academic and health-the airport is a catalyst to help translate this dream into reality.
The airport is here in Ekiti, the approval for full commercial flights already granted, major airlines are welcome. Residents and visitors, what are we still waiting for? Hop into the aircraft, fasten your seat belt and let get ready to fly!
Ogunmola is Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media (Print Media)