PicNews
Ogun State’s Gateway International Airport has officially commenced commercial flight operations with the inauguration of its first commercial flight by Governor Dapo Abiodun on October 7, 2025. The flight, operated by ValueJet with registration number 5N-BXS, carried 90 passengers from Ogun to Abuja, marking a significant milestone in the state’s infrastructure and economic development.
The airport’s construction began in late 2021, and ValueJet conducted its first test flight in February 2023. Governor Abiodun expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, for their support and regulatory oversight. He emphasized that the airport is part of a broader multimodal transport plan designed to integrate road, rail, air, and water transport systems, thereby boosting trade, tourism, and industrialization.
The airport is situated in an Aerotropolis, with many companies springing up, including the world’s largest textile plant and the Nigeria Customs Service village. This strategic location is expected to drive investment inflow, job creation, and improved connectivity. Abiodun highlighted Ogun’s status as Nigeria’s industrial capital and fastest-growing economy, supported by a growing population and strategic business opportunities.
Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, described the project as a fulfillment of the state’s founding vision and a game-changer for the state’s economy. He expressed joy that the airport would bring economic gains and comfort to residents, reducing the hassle of traveling to Lagos for flights. Elemide praised the governor’s vision and diligence, saying, “This place was a refuse dump, but now it is the site of a world-class airport.
Other notable attendees included the Director-General of NCAA, Captain Chris Ona-Najomo, who commended the state government for adhering to all regulatory requirements, and Farouk Umar, Managing Director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). The airport’s inauguration marks a new era in Ogun’s economic development, with expectations of increased investment, job creation, and improved connectivity.
