The Oyo State Government has announced that local flight operations will resume at the Ladoke Akintola International Airport in Ibadan by the end of 2025, following ongoing upgrades, while international flights are scheduled to begin in 2026.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, made the announcement in a statement issued on Monday in Ibadan.
According to Oyelade, the airport is undergoing significant expansion to meet international aviation standards. “The runway is being extended from 2,400 meters to 3,000 meters and widened from 45 to 60 meters to allow wide-body aircraft to land and take off with ease,” he said.
He added that the upgrades also include a modern airfield lighting system compliant with Category C standards, as well as enhanced fire safety infrastructure. “We are also putting in place the necessary facilities for Customs, Immigration, and other relevant agencies to ensure the airport operates at international standards,” he explained.
Providing an update on the progress, Oyelade stated that construction work on the runway, taxiway, apron, and blast pads is currently 55% complete and expected to be finalized before the year ends. He noted that resumption of domestic flights will depend on approval from aviation regulatory bodies.
Regarding the international terminal, he said, “The terminal is currently at 15% completion and is projected to be ready by June 2026.”
The commissioner emphasized that the transformation aligns with Governor Seyi Makinde’s broader vision to position Ibadan as a regional transportation hub. “By expanding our aviation infrastructure, we’re improving domestic connectivity and opening our state to global economic and social opportunities,” he added.
He also reaffirmed Governor Makinde’s earlier pledge that the next batch of pilgrims from Oyo State will depart for the 2026 Hajj directly from the upgraded Ibadan airport.
The airport was closed in March 2025 to accelerate the renovation efforts, following its official upgrade flag-off on September 18, 2024.