OGUN STATE : Gov. Abiodun Flags Off First Commercial Flight at Gateway International Airport.
OGUN STATE : Gov. Abiodun Flags Off First Commercial Flight at Gateway International Airport.
Lucky Akra
Ogun State marked a major milestone on Tuesday as Governor Dapo Abiodun officially inaugurated the first commercial flight at the newly completed Gateway International Airport, located in Ilishan-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area.
The historic flight, operated by ValueJet and carrying 90 passengers, departed for Abuja at exactly 10:10 a.m. The aircraft, with registration number 5N-BXS, became the first to launch full commercial operations from the state-owned airport.
Speaking during the inauguration, Governor Abiodun reflected on the journey that began in 2021, describing the achievement as a testament to vision, commitment, and resilience.
“I am glad to be here today to witness the inaugural flight of a commercial aircraft taking off from Ogun State,” the governor said. “Some said it was impossible, that it was just politics. But here we are — this is real, and it’s happening in the lifetime of our administration.”
He noted that while construction of the airport began in late 2021, the first test flight landed in February 2023 — also by ValueJet. The airport is now fully licensed and ready for regular commercial use, with infrastructure built to meet global aviation standards.
Governor Abiodun emphasized that the airport forms a critical part of his administration’s multimodal transport master plan, which integrates road, rail, air, and eventually sea transport, to boost economic growth and connectivity across the state.
“More people are choosing to live, work, and play in Ogun State. This airport is a strategic piece of that vision,” he said. “Located in an Aerotropolis, with companies and major projects like the Nigeria Customs Village and the world’s largest textile plant nearby, this airport is positioned to become a major economic hub.”
He also acknowledged regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, for their guidance and approval throughout the process.
In his remarks, Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, lauded the governor for transforming what was once a refuse dump into a world-class airport.
“This is a dream come true for Ogun State and in line with the vision of our founding fathers. This airport brings economic advantages and will reduce the stress of traveling through Lagos,” he said.
Also speaking, Hon. Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka, who represents Imeko-Afon-Yewa North in the House of Representatives, called on industrialists to leverage the new facility to expand their businesses and create jobs.
Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Ona-Najomo, commended the state for meeting all aviation regulatory standards and expressed optimism that international operations could commence at the airport soon.
Other aviation officials, including the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Farouk Umar, were also present at the event.
With the launch of Gateway International Airport, Ogun State now joins the ranks of Nigerian states with operational commercial airports, signaling a new era of economic development and regional connectivity.
