• Ladoke Akintola Airport to begin international flight next year
Nasarawa State Government has finally received a refund from the Federal Government for the takeover of the erstwhile Lafia Cargo Airport, amounting to N9.75 billion.

Local flights will commence operation at the end of the year, while international flights will begin early next year at the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa made this known during a special meeting with stakeholders from across the state at the Government House yesterday.

According to the governor, after the Federal Government took over the airport, which was renamed Usman Dan Fodio Airport in 2022, his administration relentlessly pursued a refund amounting to N9.75 billion.

He said he convened the meeting to appreciate the stakeholders, including National Assembly members and traditional rulers, who together played critical roles leading to the receipt of the refund.

Sule added that the meeting would also afford the participants the opportunity to further discuss the way forward regarding the money received.

While appreciating the stakeholders for turning out at the meeting, especially on a Monday, he listed only three items on the agenda for the parley, which he said were important for the stakeholders to jointly decide.

He also announced the completion of the over N16 billion Lafia Flyover and Underpass conceived and started by his administration.

THE Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, in a statement, noted that activities were in top gear to upgrade the airport to international standards.

The airport upgrade, officially flagged off on September 18, 2024, was shut in March 2025 to intensify work on the project. Oyelade said the ongoing upgrade at the airport included an extension of the runway from 2,400 metres to 3,000 metres, widening of the runway from 45 to 60 metres to accommodate wide-body aircraft for international flights.

He noted that the airfield lighting system had been updated to CAT C standards and the fire-fighting response upgraded to ensure a robust safety profile.

The commissioner hinted that facilities were being put in place for Customs, Immigration and other vital agencies to meet international standards.

He reiterated the promise of Governor Seyi Makinde that the next Hajj flight to Saudi Arabia next year would be from the airport.