The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, announced that Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan is scheduled for a six-month closure starting in March 2025 to facilitate essential infrastructure upgrades aimed at enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
This was disclosed in a statement by Achimugu via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday.
According to Achimugu, the proposed closure is necessary to carry out essential infrastructure upgrades designed to improve the airport’s operational safety and efficiency.
“Subject to new information, Ibadan airport may be shut down for six months for maintenance/upgrade, starting from early March,” the tweet read.
Although specific details of the upgrade were not revealed, the six-month timeline suggests a major infrastructure overhaul.
The planned six-month closure aligns with the Oyo State Government’s August 2024 proposal to expand and upgrade Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, aiming to transform it into an international hub.
The Oyo State Government unveiled an ambitious plan to expand and upgrade Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, aiming to transform it into an international facility.
This project is part of a broader vision to enhance the state’s aviation infrastructure and establish Ibadan as a key aviation hub.
On August 12, 2024, a delegation from the Oyo State Committee on the Airport Expansion Project, led by Mr. Bimbo Adekambi and former FAAN Managing Director, Mr. Kabir Mohammed, met with FAAN’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, to discuss the initiative.
Their discussions centered on Governor Makinde’s proposal to upgrade the airport to international standards, improving both domestic and international travel.
This initiative reflects a broader trend among Nigerian states to enhance their aviation sectors.
