Makinde Donates Operational Vehicles to Enhance Ibadan Airport Upgrade

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has donated four operational vehicles to key security and management agencies at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan, as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to upgrade the facility to international standards.

Chairman of the Airport Upgrade Committee and former Commissioner for Finance, Bimbo Adekanmbi, presented the vehicles to the airport management on behalf of the governor during a brief ceremony at the airport.

Adekanmbi explained that the vehicles were donated to enhance operational efficiency and security at the airport, noting that the state government could not rely solely on the Federal Government or the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to fund the upgrades.

“This is a donation from the governor on behalf of the Oyo State Government. For an airport to be fully operational, there are many essential facilities needed, and we cannot wait for federal funding,” Adekanmbi said.

The vehicles were allocated to four key agencies: FAAN Aviation Security Department, Nigerian Police Force (Airport Command), Airport Operations Department, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

“Each vehicle has been carefully assigned to specific operations within the airport. This donation underscores the governor’s commitment to ensuring that the Ibadan Airport functions as a modern international airport,” Adekanmbi added.

He also revealed that the runway is fully completed and ready for local flights, while the international terminal is about 35 percent completed and expected to be ready by September 2026.

“We are ready for local flights to resume any moment from now. The hardware is in place, and we are working closely with regulatory agencies such as NAMA, NCAA, NIMET, and FAAN to finalize all requirements,” he said.

In his remarks, the Airport Manager, Mr. Oluwagbenga Afuwape, who represented the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, commended Governor Makinde for his continued support, describing the gesture as a major boost to airport operations and the state’s economy.

Similarly, the Manager of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Famosinpe Gbenga, and the Chief Security Officer, Mr. Victor Adeya, praised the state government for the donation, saying it came at a crucial time and would significantly enhance coordination and safety around the airport.

Adeya described the collaboration between the Oyo State Government and FAAN as a “transformational partnership” that has already led to visible developmental progress at the airport.