Governor  Abiodun Inaugurates First Commercial Flight at Ogun’s Gateway International Airport

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has officially inaugurated the first commercial flight operation at the Gateway International Airport, Ilishan-Remo, marking a major milestone in the state’s aviation and transport infrastructure.

The inaugural flight, operated by ValueJet with registration number 5N-BXS, departed the airport at 10:10 a.m. with 90 passengers on board en route to Abuja.

The event, held at the airport along the Iperu-Ilisan Road in Ikenne Local Government Area, signified the state’s entry into commercial aviation. Governor Abiodun said the project, which began in 2021, was part of his administration’s vision to establish a world-class, multimodal transport network linking road, rail, air, and sea routes.

He noted that the airport’s development represents a triumph of vision and perseverance, turning what many had dismissed as a political stunt or an unachievable dream into a reality. Construction began in late 2021, with the first test flight taking place in February 2023.

According to the governor, the Gateway International Airport is part of a larger Aerotropolis development hosting major industries, including one of the world’s largest textile plants and the Nigeria Customs Village. He said the facility aligns with the state’s goal of becoming the fastest-growing industrial hub and a key logistics gateway in Nigeria.

Governor Abiodun expressed appreciation to aviation regulators, including the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, for their support and guidance in meeting all operational and safety requirements.

Ogun State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, described the achievement as historic, saying the airport would boost economic activities and ease travel for residents who previously had to rely on Lagos airports.

Similarly, Hon. Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka, representing Imeko-Afon/Yewa North Federal Constituency, commended the project as a catalyst for industrial expansion, urging investors to take advantage of the new facility.

Director General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Ona-Najomo, lauded the state government for its compliance with aviation standards and pledged continued regulatory support to facilitate the eventual commencement of international operations.

Other aviation stakeholders, including the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Farouk Umar, also attended the event, reaffirming federal collaboration in sustaining the airport’s growth and ensuring it meets international benchmarks.