Governor Seyi Makinde has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming the newly upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, into Nigeria’s most welcoming and investor-friendly aviation hub.
Speaking at The Jagz Hospitality Conference held in Ibadan, the governor said the airport’s transformation marks a new dawn for tourism, trade, and investment in Oyo State. He emphasized that the project aligns with his administration’s broader vision of building a diversified, resilient, and globally competitive state economy.
“Our goal is to make the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport a model of efficiency, comfort, and innovation — a facility that attracts both local and international investors,” Makinde stated. “This upgrade is not just about infrastructure; it’s about creating opportunities, opening doors for tourism, and building confidence in Oyo as a destination for business.”
The governor noted that the airport’s ongoing upgrade — which includes runway expansion, modern terminals, and cargo-handling facilities — is part of Oyo’s strategic plan to leverage Ibadan’s geographic advantage as a gateway between Lagos and northern Nigeria.
Makinde highlighted that Oyo’s investment-friendly policies are already yielding results, citing increased interest from private investors in the state’s hospitality, real estate, and agricultural sectors. He added that the government remains focused on creating an enabling environment through infrastructure development, security enhancement, and ease of doing business reforms.
“Despite national economic challenges, we are proving that good governance and strategic planning can still drive growth,” Makinde said. “Our mission is clear — to make Oyo the number one destination for investment, leisure, and innovation in Nigeria.”
The Jagz Hospitality Conference, which brought together stakeholders from tourism, real estate, and business sectors, explored opportunities for collaboration between government and private investors in positioning Oyo as a tourism and hospitality powerhouse.
Industry experts at the event commended the state’s efforts, noting that a modernized Ibadan airport could decongest Lagos, attract international flights, and boost the local economy through increased visitor traffic and logistics growth.
With the airport upgrade nearing completion, Governor Makinde assured that Oyo State will continue to prioritize sustainable development and investor partnerships to strengthen the state’s role in Nigeria’s economic landscape.
