Ahead of Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja’s coronation as the Olubadan on Friday, the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan reopened with the successful landing of its first aircraft on Wednesday.
The airport had been shut since early this year for an upgrade to international standards.
The upgrade project, initiated by Governor Seyi Makinde with a groundbreaking ceremony in September 2024, was designed to connect Oyo State to global markets and improve regional mobility.
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But on Wednesday, an aircraft which was part of President Bola Tinubu’s advance team touched down at exactly 9:14 a.m
at the newly upgraded airport.
This confirms the president’s visit to Ibadan on Friday, September 26, to attend the coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The project awarded to Messrs Craneburg at the cost of N41 billion, the state government has completed major improvements, including a rehabilitated runway, a new VIP lounge, a 500,000-litre aviation fuel storage and dispensing facility, and the provision of a modern fire truck to boost safety operations at the airport.
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According to Governor Seyi Makinde, with the improved infrastructure, the airport is expected to handle high-profile and international-standard operations safely and efficiently, put the state in significant economic growth and development.
Makinde further stated it will connect Oyo to the global market, improve the ease of doing business, and bring investments in agribusiness, manufacturing and technology sectors and position Ibadan as a true regional business hub.
