Ogun State's Airport: Does It Exist?

The Ogun State Agro-Cargo International Airport is set to begin operations in Ogun State, Nigeria. The airport has been in the works for over 17 years, with successive administrations attempting to bring the project to life. Despite facing initial crises and criticism regarding its proximity to other airports and the potential underutilisation of cargo capacity, the airport is nearing completion and is expected to boost the state's economy and create job opportunities. With the approval process in its final stages, the airport will soon facilitate scheduled and non-scheduled flights, accommodating private planes and cargo transportation, further establishing Ogun State as an attractive destination for investors.

Ogun Agro-Cargo Airport nears completion

The Ogun State government has been trying to build an airport for 17 years, and it seems their efforts are finally coming to fruition. In February 2023, the state government announced the opening of the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport in the Ikenne Local Government Area. The first commercial flight to the airport was operated by ValueJet.

The airport has been a long time coming, with successive administrations attempting to get the project off the ground. In December 2023, the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, endorsed the project, saying it would add value to the lives of the people and contribute to the growth of the state and the country's economy.

Despite the enthusiasm of the government and residents, some experts have questioned the need for another airport in the region, given the proximity of Ogun State to Lagos and Ibadan, which already have airports. Group Captain John Ojikutu, a former Commandant at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, has warned that the existing cargo airports in the country are underutilised and that there may not be enough cargo to justify a new airport in Ogun State.

However, Governor Dapo Abiodun remains confident in the project, stating that the airport's location has been approved as a free trade zone by the Nigerian government. In October 2023, he announced that the government had received offers for the concession of the airport and expected full approval for the airport to commence operations by the end of the year. The governor also revealed plans for a second aircraft apron dedicated to passenger operations, anticipating the rapid expansion of the airport.

The airport has also attracted international interest, with French investors expressing their interest in investing in Ogun State's transport sector, particularly the Agro-Cargo Airport. In January 2025, a former French Minister of Transport, Djebbari Jean-Baptiste, highlighted the state's dynamic development and infrastructural progress as key factors attracting French investors.

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, announces scheduled and non-scheduled flights

Ogun State in Nigeria is set to open its first airport, with Governor Dapo Abiodun announcing the commencement of scheduled and non-scheduled flights. The airport, known as the Ogun Agro-Cargo Airport, is expected to boost the state's economy and attract investors.

Governor Abiodun's announcement in April 2024 confirmed that the airport would soon be operational, with the approval process in its final stages. The airport has been a long time coming, with successive administrations attempting to bring an airport to Ogun State over the last 17 years. The current government's commitment to infrastructure development and public-private partnerships has finally made it a reality.

The Ogun Agro-Cargo International Airport is strategically located in Remo, close to both Lagos and Ibadan, which are home to busy airports and seaports. This proximity is expected to enhance the ease of travel and movement of goods, with the Lagos State’s Red and Blue Rail Lines also set to be extended to Ogun State. The airport will cater to both passenger and cargo flights, with Governor Abiodun highlighting the benefits for the state's agricultural sector:

> "The agro-produce, be it cassava, cashew, oil palm, rubber, cotton, and so many others, including those that need to be air-freighted in that airport to the rest of the world, are coming to the special agro-processing zone and are being processed."

However, not everyone is convinced by the need for an airport in Ogun State. Some experts have questioned the rationale, arguing that existing airports in nearby cities are underutilised and that the cargo capacity of the new airport may not be fully utilised. Despite this, the Ogun State Government remains confident that the airport will be a significant addition to the state's infrastructure, creating jobs and contributing to the state's rapid growth.

With the airport's completion, Ogun State is poised to become an even more attractive destination for investors and manufacturers, further cementing its position as an industrial capital of Nigeria. The airport is expected to open up new opportunities for the state and its residents, bringing them closer to the rest of the world.

The airport's impact on the economy and residents

The Ogun Agro-Cargo Airport is expected to have a significant impact on the economy and residents of Ogun State. The airport, located at Iperu, is part of the state government's initiative to make Ogun State a major investment destination. With its proximity to Lagos, the state's location is a strategic advantage, making it accessible to investors and businesses.

The airport is designed to serve both cargo and passenger flights, with an 84,000 square metre apron that is significantly larger than other cargo airports in Nigeria. This capacity has already attracted the interest of cargo companies, who plan to use the airport as a hub for their operations in Nigeria and West Africa. The airport's accessibility is further enhanced by its location between two major highways, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Sagamu-Benin Expressway, making it convenient for travellers and businesses alike.

The Ogun Agro-Cargo Airport is expected to create numerous employment opportunities, with estimates ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 new jobs. The airport is also anticipated to stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty, and generate revenue for the state. The state government's focus on public-private partnerships (PPP) in developing the airport and the surrounding industrial zone further underscores the potential for economic development and prosperity for the residents of Ogun State.

However, some aviation professionals have expressed concerns about the viability of the airport. They argue that the existing airports in nearby Lagos and Ibadan are underutilised and question the need for an additional cargo airport in the region. They also highlight the potential risks and costs associated with operating flights between Lagos and Ogun State, given the proximity of the two locations. Despite these concerns, the Ogun State government remains committed to the project, and only time will tell the full extent of the airport's impact on the economy and residents of the state.

Criticism of the airport's proximity to Lagos and Ibadan

The Ogun Agro-Cargo Airport in Ogun State, Nigeria, has faced criticism for its proximity to Lagos and Ibadan, which are also home to airports. NCAA-licensed commercial pilot Captain John Okakpu has stated that the idea of an airport in Remo is misguided, given its closeness to existing airports in the region. Okakpu highlights the potential risk to aircraft engines, which need to fly for 40-45 minutes after takeoff before landing, and questions the logic of dropping cargo in Lagos and then flying a shorter distance to Ogun State.

Group Captain John Ojikutu, a former Commandant at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, shares similar concerns. He argues that the existing airports in the country are underutilised and questions the need for another cargo airport in Ogun State. Ojikutu, who is now the Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, emphasises the low volume of cargo currently being handled by the country's airports and suggests that the available infrastructure is more than adequate.

Ojikutu also criticised the decision-making process behind the construction of the Ogun Agro-Cargo Airport, claiming that some state governors have ventured into airport construction without proper groundwork and research. He specifically recalled warning the former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, against building the airport in Ilishan-Remo, stating that the chosen location was "wrong, very wrong."

Despite these criticisms, the Ogun Agro-Cargo Airport has received endorsements from figures such as the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun. Edun has emphasised the potential economic benefits of the airport, including job creation, poverty reduction, and revenue generation for the state and country. The airport has also fuelled the hopes and expectations of residents in the area, who anticipate the positive impact it could have on their lives and the local economy.

Ogun State's business-friendly environment

Ogun State in Nigeria has been working on creating a business-friendly environment, with continuous improvements in the Ease-of-Doing-Business and land reform initiatives. The state has also been working to attract investors and expand economic opportunities. Ogun State's proximity to Lagos and Ibadan, which are both home to airports, has been a key factor in its economic strategy.

The state has seen successive administrations attempt to build an airport, with the current government close to completing the Ogun Agro-Cargo Airport. This airport is expected to boost the local economy, create jobs, and reduce poverty, further enhancing Ogun State's business-friendly credentials.

The state's commitment to economic growth is evident in its creation of the Ogun State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency (OgunInvest). This initiative has successfully attracted foreign direct investment, with a recent agreement to establish a British battery recycling company in the state, the first of its kind in Africa.

Ogun State has also focused on industrial growth, with the Agbara Industrial Zone being the largest in Nigeria and one of the largest on the continent. The state has also created four additional economic zones to further expand economic opportunities and attract investors. These zones are expected to create thousands of jobs and develop the skills of the local workforce through knowledge-sharing with foreign investors.

The state's economic initiatives also include the Olumo Courts project, which aims to enhance the architectural landscape, create jobs, and attract investments, particularly from the diaspora. The project underwent necessary redesigns to align with urban regeneration goals, demonstrating the state's commitment to sustainable development.

Through a combination of creative thinking and prudent resource management, Ogun State has established itself as one of Nigeria's economically resilient states, offering a range of incentives and opportunities for businesses and investors.

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