Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has vowed that his administration will deliver the N41 billion upgrade of the Ibadan Airport, now named the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, to international standards within 12 months.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the airport’s upgrade, Makinde expressed confidence in the project’s timely completion, highlighting that the first phase has been awarded to Craneburg Construction at a cost of N41 billion. He extended his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the state’s request to enhance the airport’s infrastructure.
“We have awarded the first phase of this project to Craneburg for N41 billion,” Makinde said. “For those questioning this investment, consider Angola, which recently completed an airport at a cost of $3 billion. This is no small matter—if we want to tap into a $3 billion industry, we need to be bold, and we are being bold in Oyo State.”
Makinde emphasized that the decision to undertake the project was driven by “logic, science, and data.” He invited skeptics to engage in a public debate if they had contrary evidence. “This decision to upgrade the airport is based on solid data and logic. If anyone has data that contradicts this, we welcome a public discussion,” he stated, promising the project’s completion within the next 12 months. “I will push the envelope to ensure this happens.”
The governor also noted that the government’s earlier improvements to airport facilities have already led to more airlines including Ibadan in their flight schedules.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, who was present at the event alongside the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ilyas Damagum, and members of the PDP National Working Committee, praised Makinde for his dedication to Oyo State’s development across various sectors.
