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The New Ekiti Airport is a proposed airport development serving Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The airport project was inaugurated in 2022 and has received approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to commence non-scheduled flight operations. The airport has a 3.2km runway constructed to handle all types of aircraft. However, as of February 2024, the airport has not received any commercial or cargo flights and is not yet operational. The project has faced criticism from some locals who question the need for an airport in a state that can only be accessed by road and has a low flying population.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | New Ekiti Airport, Ekiti International Cargo Airport |
| Location | Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria |
| Status | Inaugurated, not operational |
| Construction Start Date | 18-Oct-2019 |
| Construction Cost | NGN16.5 billion (USD35.8 million), N20 billion |
| Runway Length | 3.2km |
| Operational Aircraft | Military aircraft |
| Nearby Airports | Ilorin Airport, Ibadan Airport, Benin Airport |
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What You'll Learn
The New Ekiti Airport is located in Ado-Ekiti
The development of the New Ekiti Airport has faced some criticism and raised questions about its economic viability. Some have argued that the state's funds could have been better allocated to improving infrastructure such as roads. Despite the criticisms, the Ekiti State government has continued to allocate funds for the airport's development, including navigational aids and lighting equipment, to enable the airport to commence full operations.
The New Ekiti Airport received approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in December 2024 to commence non-scheduled flight operations for a six-month period. The airport is expected to stimulate economic growth and boost the agricultural potential of the state. The total cost of the airport project is estimated to be around N20 billion.
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The airport's construction began in October 2019
The New Ekiti Airport, also known as the Ekiti International Cargo Airport, is a proposed airport development serving the city of Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The airport's construction began on 18 October 2019, with the project initially proposed in 2010.
The airport was designed to boost the state's economy and enhance prosperity by stimulating economic growth and promoting the state's agricultural potential. The project was included in the Ekiti State government's 2017 budget, with a total cost of N20 billion. The airport's 3.2km runway is constructed to handle all types of aircraft and is accompanied by a terminal building, perimeter fencing, and other essential infrastructure.
Despite the inauguration of the airport in October 2022 by former governor Kayode Fayemi, the airport has faced delays in becoming operational. As of November 2023, construction workers were still present, and basic facilities and equipment were lacking. The airport has yet to receive the necessary certifications to commence commercial operations, and only military aircraft have landed at the site.
The Ekiti State government has continued to allocate funds for the airport's development, with navigational aids, lighting, and completion of the terminal areas expected to enable the airport to commence full operations. The airport received approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in December 2024 to commence non-scheduled flight operations for a six-month period.
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It received approval from the NCAA in December 2024
The New Ekiti Airport, serving the city of Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State, received approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in December 2024. This approval allowed the airport to commence non-scheduled flight operations under visual flight rules for a six-month period, from December 2024 to June 2025.
The approval by the NCAA was a significant development for the airport, which had faced delays and controversies since its proposal in 2010. Initially, the Nigerian Government rejected the project, citing conflicts with plans to upgrade other airports to international standards. However, in 2015, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, revisited the idea and announced plans to establish an airport for the state. The project gained momentum with the support of subsequent administrations, including Governor Kayode Fayemi, who described the airport as a "dream come true."
The construction of the New Ekiti Airport commenced in October 2019, with a reported cost of N20 billion. The airport features a 3.2km runway, capable of handling all types of aircraft. Despite its inauguration in October 2022, the airport faced criticism for being prematurely commissioned without the necessary infrastructure in place. As of February 2024, the airport had not received any commercial or cargo flights and was still awaiting certifications to begin full operations.
The approval from the NCAA in December 2024 marked a pivotal moment for the airport, as it enabled the commencement of flight operations, albeit on a non-scheduled basis. This step forward was welcomed by the state government, which had allocated funds in its 2023 budget for the procurement of navigational aids, lighting equipment, and the completion of terminal areas. These additional developments were essential to enable the airport to handle commercial flights and achieve its economic potential.
The New Ekiti Airport is expected to have a positive impact on the state's economy, particularly in the agricultural sector. By providing airlift capabilities for the state's agricultural produce, the airport is anticipated to stimulate economic growth and enhance the state's connectivity with the rest of the country and beyond. The airport's location in Ado-Ekiti, amidst undulating valleys and rivers, further underscores its potential to boost the region's economic prospects.
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The airport cost the state N20 billion
The New Ekiti Airport is a proposed airport development serving Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The airport project was first proposed in 2010, but it was initially rejected by the Nigerian Government, as it conflicted with plans to upgrade four airports to international standards.
In 2015, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, revisited the project, announcing plans to establish an airport for the state. Construction on the airport finally commenced on 18 October 2019, with a projected completion date of October 2022. The airport was commissioned on 15 October 2022, and it received a six-month license to handle non-scheduled services from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority on 13 December 2024.
The Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor on media, Yinka Oyebode, insisted that construction of the airport had been completed and that the state was merely waiting for certifications to begin commercial operations. He acknowledged that additional certifications with the NCAA and other agencies would incur further costs. The Ekiti Government has spent NGN16.5 billion (USD35.8 million) on the airport project so far, including funding for the runway, taxiway, terminal building, perimeter fencing, and land acquisition.
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The closest airport to Ekiti State University is Ilorin Airport, 156 km away
Ekiti State University is located in Ado Ekiti, a city in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Ado Ekiti is surrounded by other large cities, including Igede and Ijero. The state is bordered by Ondo, Osun, Kwara, and Kogi, and its main occupation is agriculture.
Ekiti State currently has no functioning airport. However, there is a proposal for a new airport in Ado-Ekiti, known as the New Ekiti Airport, which is expected to receive approval for non-scheduled flight operations in December 2024. Construction of the airport's 3.2km runway, capable of handling all types of aircraft, began in October 2019. The project was initially rejected by the Nigerian Government, but it was revived in 2015 by the then Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose. The airport is intended to have a positive long-term impact on agriculture and investment in the state.
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Frequently asked questions
The New Ekiti Airport is located in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Construction of the airport began in October 2019 and it was inaugurated in October 2022. However, as of February 2024, the airport is not yet operational for commercial flights.
The airport is designed to stimulate economic growth and airlift the agricultural potential of the state.
The Ekiti State Government has spent approximately NGN16.5 billion (USD35.8 million) on the airport as of 2023.
Some critics argue that the airport is a waste of scarce resources, especially considering that Ekiti State has one of the lowest Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the country. There are also concerns about the airport's viability and whether it will be successfully operated by the state government.
