By: Elijah Udofia 

History was made on Saturday, April 4, 2026 in Ogun State when President Bola Tinubu officially inaugurated the Gateway International Airport Iperu Remo thus making the State one of the states in the country with a functional airport.

The project is one of the strategic initiative designed by the Abiodun-led administration to enhance regional connectivity, attract investment, positioning Ogun State as a leading logistics and transportation hub in Nigeria.

 Before the first block was laid, there were concerns about the viability or otherwise of the airport owing to the fact that similar airport projects in other parts of the country are lying fallow and useless contributing nothing to their owners.

Many were also of the view that its closeness to Lagos which has the busiest airport in the country, would affect the Ogun airport negatively. There were also concerns that the expected inflow of agriculture produce for export might be minimal as extensive and mechanized farming, that would produce the much needed goods, is not done in the State or even in the South West of the country.

For an airport that has gone through several stages of delays and outright abandonment by previous administrations since it was conceived almost 20 years ago, the fact that it has finally come to being means that man can achieve anything he set his minds to do.

Located along the Ilisan-Iperu axis, this newly established airport has been certified fit for commercial operations by Nigeria’s aviation regulatory agencies. Infact, commercial flights operations have since started in ernest. 

One of the airport’s standout features is that aside siting on a 5000 hectares of land, it has 4-kilometer-long and 60-meter-wide runway, the longest in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.This extensive runway enables the airport to accommodate large wide-body aircrafts, positioning the airport as a pivotal hub for both passenger and cargo flights.  

The airport, whose construction started in April, 2021, is strategically situated next to a Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) and is poised to enhance the agricultural value chain by facilitating the export of produce, thereby boosting foreign exchange earnings. 

Its proximity to key industrial and free trade zones, specifically adjacent Industrial Platform Remo Free Zone (IPRFZ), gives the airport a huge advantage, setting it up to become a major hub for both regional and international trade.  

One of the immediate advantage of the the Gateway International Airport, is that it would alleviate the pressure on the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos by offering an alternative route for both domestic and international flights, the Airport will distribute air traffic more evenly across the south west region. This in turn is expected to reduce delays and improve overall operational efficiency.  

Without losing sight of its primary functions, the airport would focus on cargo operations by streamlining the logistics management of goods, particularly agricultural products. This efficiency is crucial not only for the State’s industrial sectors, enabling timely delivery of raw materials and finished goods, but also fostering improved manufacturing across the country.  

The building of the Gateway International Airport brings along with it multitude economic advantages as it is projected to generate employment for nearly 25,000 youths thus helping in addressing unemployment challenges and stimulating local economies. The development of an aerotropolis surrounding the airport will further expand commercial activities in the axis.

With its strategic location, the airport is set to attract foreign direct investment, as businesses seek to capitalize on the enhanced access to regional and global markets. Similarly, state-of-the-art cargo handling facilities at the airport would facilitate efficient export of agricultural and manufactured goods. This capability is essential for businesses aiming to expand their reach to international markets, thereby increasing Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.  

The Gateway International Airport, State stands as a transformative project  

Its strategic location, modern facilities, and focus on cargo operations, position it as a catalyst for regional economic growth and improved connectivity, aimed at delivering lasting benefits to not only Ogun State , but the nation at large.

The commissioning of the Gateway Airport in Iperu is, without doubt, a proud moment for the sons and daughters of the State. What once sounded like folktales, has now assumed the weight of official reality.

For a project that was conceived and whose ground breaking ceremony took a carnival like form, the sudden abandonment was not expected. The site did not look anything an airport, it did not only become a dumpsite, but also a sanctuary for all manner of wildlife.

When governor Abiodun came on board, no one gave him a chance. Some saw failure starring him on the face, some were waiting for him to fail, while few reluctantly gave him a benefit of doubt. But for Abiodun, he came with a vision and a mission to do the unexpected. He refuse to listen to insinuations, he paid no attention to naysayers but kept his eyes on the goal: to leave a legacy which generation yet unborn would be proud of.

Like Walt Disney said, "All our dreams come true if we have the courage to pursue them". Prince Abiodun pursue his dreams and work hard to realized those dreams. He did not only revived the airport project, but pushed it toward completion. His efforts have now culminated into the moment when the airport was commissioned by no other personality than the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Ogun State Gateway International Airport has finally come to stay and it is expected to add value to Air transportation in Nigeria and turn to state into West Africa Aviation hub. 

Udofia write from 

Laderin, Abeokuta.