Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the upgrade of Ibadan Airport, Alakia, to an international airport. The upgrade, set to commence in the next three weeks, will include the construction of a new terminal, runway, and other structural features. This project aims to boost the state’s economic expansion by improving infrastructure, a key focus of Governor Makinde’s administration over the past five years.
During a meeting with Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Baba Abubakar, at the Executive Chamber, Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde highlighted the significance of the airport upgrade in the state’s economic plans. Additionally, he mentioned ongoing investments in the 110-kilometer Ibadan Circular Road and expressed openness to considering the Air Force’s request for land for a post-retirement housing scheme along the Circular Road corridor.

He said: “Since I came into office, this administration has focused on education, agriculture, health and expansion of our economy.

“We have been talking to the Presidency and we got a response from them early this week that the President has graciously approved my request for Ibadan Airport to be upgraded.

“I will be in Abuja soon to get the documents relating to the approval. And within three weeks, we will start the project. We will expand the runway and build a new terminal.”