Ibadan's Airport: Does It Exist?

is there an airport in ibadan

Ibadan Airport (IATA: IBA, ICAO: DNIB) is an airport serving Ibadan, the capital of the Oyo State of Nigeria. The airport was commissioned in 1982 by the former Nigerian Senate President Joseph Wayas and is located in Alakia, between the Adegbaiji community and Iwo Road. The airport is currently undergoing remodelling to upgrade its status from a domestic to an international airport.

Characteristics Values
Name Ibadan Airport
IATA code IBA
ICAO code DNIB
Location Alakia, between Adegbaiji community and Iwo Road
Distance from the city centre of Ibadan 30 minutes
Status Temporarily closed for upgrades
Year commissioned 1982
Commissioned by Joseph Wayas, former Senate President of Nigeria
Terminals 1
Runway length 2,400 metres
Airlines Arik Air, Overland Airways

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Ibadan Airport's history and location

Ibadan Airport (IATA: IBA, ICAO: DNIB) is located in Ibadan, the capital of the Oyo State of Nigeria. The airport is situated in the Alakia area, between the Adegbaiji community and Iwo Road, approximately 30 minutes from the city centre of Ibadan.

Ibadan Airport was commissioned in June 1982 by Joseph Wayas, the former President of the Nigerian Senate. It has been a hub airport for the Oyo State and one of the major domestic airports in Nigeria. The airport currently serves only domestic arrivals and departures to other cities in Nigeria, with airlines such as Arik Air and Overland Airways operating there.

The airport features a single terminal and a 2,400-metre-long runway. It is one of the oldest airports in the country, having undergone upgrades and improvements over the years to enhance its infrastructure and operational standards. In 2025, the airport was temporarily closed for an extensive upgrade to transform it into an international airport.

The closure was facilitated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and approved by the Federal Government to ensure aviation safety and enhance the passenger experience. The upgrade works included remodelling to accommodate international flights and improve the airport's status.

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Airlines that operate at the airport

Ibadan Airport (IATA: IBA, ICAO: DNIB) is located in Ibadan, the capital of the Oyo State of Nigeria. The airport was commissioned in June 1982 by former Nigerian Senate President Joseph Wayas and has since become the hub airport of the Oyo State and one of the major domestic airports in Nigeria. Ibadan Airport is currently undergoing extensive upgrades to its infrastructure and operational standards to transform it from a domestic to an international airport. As a result, the airport has been temporarily shut down.

Once operational, Ibadan Airport will continue to serve domestic arrivals and departures to other cities in Nigeria. Domestic airlines that will land at Ibadan Airport include Arik Air and Overland Airways.

Arik Air, founded in 2002, is one of the largest airlines in West Africa, with a fleet size of 24. The airline operates primarily from two hubs at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV) in Abuja. Arik Air provides domestic, regional, and international flights to over 20 destinations, including London, New York, and Dubai.

Overland Airways, established in 2002, is a domestic airline headquartered in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. With a fleet size of 11, Overland Airways operates scheduled and charter flights to various destinations within Nigeria, including Abuja, Lagos, Akure, Ilorin, and Ibadan. The airline focuses on providing safe, reliable, and efficient air transportation, connecting people and businesses across the country.

Both Arik Air and Overland Airways contribute to the accessibility and connectivity of Ibadan, offering convenient travel options for passengers travelling to and from the city.

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Nearby hotels and accommodation

Ibadan Airport (IATA: IBA, ICAO: DNIB) is located in Ibadan, the capital of the Oyo State of Nigeria. The airport is approximately 30 minutes from the city centre of Ibadan and has been serving as a gateway to one of the oldest cities in the country since 1982.

There are several accommodation options near Ibadan Airport, ranging from luxurious resorts to more modest inns. Here are some of the closest hotels to the airport:

  • Ilaji Hotel & Sports Resort: A massive property located in the heart of Ibadan.
  • Best Western Hotel: A popular and well-maintained hotel with good security and dedicated staff.
  • Genesis Hotel: A modern building situated along a busy road.
  • Premier Hotel: A quiet and secure hotel with friendly staff, indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, and comfortable rooms.
  • Muajas Hotel & Suites: Features an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden, and a shared lounge.
  • TFP Lodge: Provides air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony, terrace, free private parking, and free WiFi.
  • Triple D Luxury Hotel: Offers accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking, a terrace, and a restaurant.
  • Akingston Residence: Boasts city views and features accommodation with a balcony, inner courtyard, patio, and free WiFi.
  • Orchard Hotel: A quiet and affordable hotel with friendly staff and clean rooms.

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The airport's upgrade and temporary closure

Ibadan Airport (IATA: IBA, ICAO: DNIB) is located in Ibadan, the capital of the Oyo State of Nigeria. The airport was commissioned in June 1982 by former Nigerian Senate President Joseph Wayas. It has been the hub airport of the Oyo State and one of the major domestic airports in Nigeria.

The airport is situated in Ibadan, one of the oldest cities in Nigeria, and is approximately 30 minutes from the city centre. The airport is home to one terminal and a 2,400-metre-long runway. Ibadan Airport currently only serves domestic arrivals and departures to other cities in Nigeria.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) temporarily closed the airport, officially known as the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, in March 2025. The closure is to facilitate an extensive upgrade to enhance infrastructure and operational standards, with the goal of transforming the airport into an international airport. The upgrade works are in line with aviation safety recommendations and are necessary to ensure the safety of passengers and airport personnel.

During the closure, the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency has closed the runway and suspended airport operations per International Civil Aviation Organisation regulations. The airport operators have appealed for cooperation from both stakeholders and passengers during the closure.

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Other airports in Nigeria

There is an airport in Ibadan, Nigeria. The airport, with the IATA code IBA, serves Ibadan, the capital of the Oyo State of Nigeria. It was commissioned in 1982 by former senate president Joseph Wayas and has since become a hub airport for the state.

There are 32 airports in Nigeria, including international, domestic, and military airports. Here is information about some of them:

  • Murtala Muhammed International Airport: This is Nigeria's most prominent and busiest airport, handling around 5 million passengers globally and about 3 million domestic passengers. It is located approximately 14.1 km from Lagos, the country's largest city, and has two terminals for international and domestic departures.
  • Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport: This is Nigeria's second largest and second busiest airport, serving about 4.88 million passengers annually.
  • Mallam Aminu International Airport: Serving the city of Kano since 1936, this airport is named after former politician Aminu Kano. It is one of the country's most important airports, handling around 400,000 passengers annually.
  • Port Harcourt International Airport: This airport has been the primary airport serving the capital of Rivers State since the 1980s. Located 26 km from the city, it is crucial to the country's economic development and is the third busiest airport in Nigeria.
  • Maiduguri International Airport: This airport serves the northeast region of Nigeria, offering both domestic and international flights from Maiduguri, the capital of the Borno state. It is located around 10 km from the city and has two terminals.
  • Benin Airport: Benin Airport is a domestic airport serving Benin City, the capital of Edo State. Established in 1956, it is located just 6 km from the city but has limited facilities and a small number of operating airlines.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, there is an airport in Ibadan, Nigeria.

The airport in Ibadan is called the Ibadan Airport, or the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport.

Yes, you can book flights to and from Ibadan Airport online through various websites such as Travelstart.com.ng and Wego.com.ng.

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