Ex-Oyo Finance Commissioner Heads Ibadan Airport Upgrade Committee

Reported by Ayooluwa Afolabi

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde inaugurated an 11-member committee for the upgrade of the Ibadan airport on Tuesday. The committee is chaired by Mr. Bimbo Adekanmbi, who previously served as the commissioner for Finance in Oyo State during Governor Abiola Ajimobi\'s administration.

At the inauguration ceremony held at the governor’s office in Ibadan, Makinde stated that the decision to upgrade Ibadan Airport was based on science, logic, and data. He emphasized that it is a strategic investment that has been part of his plans since the inception of his administration.

Makinde reiterated that his administration will continue to invest in projects that offer a comparative advantage to the state to support his vision of sustainable development. He maintained that the state considered this advantage in proceeding with the airport upgrade.

Some other committee members include Alhaji Kabir Yusuf, a former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and Dr. Wale Babalakin.

Makinde said: “Today marks another important milestone in the history of Oyo State as we inaugurate the committee that will work towards the actualization of the Ibadan Airport upgrade. They will begin with preliminary activities before the groundbreaking ceremony for an international standard airport in Ibadan.

“We are all excited about this for good reasons. Our vision for investing in a second comparative advantage of our city, to support the comparative advantage in agribusiness, is coming together.

Historically, Ibadan is a nodal city, a meeting point for commercial activities and a stopover as people traveled to other parts of the country. If you look at the map of Nigeria, you will see that Ibadan is a major entry point to the northern part of Nigeria and other states in the South-West.

“We have preliminary data to support this move, and part of the committee’s work will be providing us with definitive numbers through a comprehensive passenger data analysis and ensuring all groundwork is laid to meet the requirements for building an international airport as stipulated by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). They will also engage all necessary stakeholders to make this project a success.

“Other vital roles they will play include preconstruction activities such as contractor selection and mobilization, overseeing procurements, site clearing activities, and ensuring everything is ready for the project’s commencement. They will continue to oversee the project’s execution until its completion.”

Makinde explained that the decision to convert the local airport into an international one was well-thought-out, based on science, logic, and data. He added, “We have done the groundwork in our first tenure. We have completed the 500,000-liter aviation fuel storage and dispensing facility, concessioned to BOVAS Group, a local company in Ibadan.

We patronize our local businesses. We have also upgraded some facilities, increasing the number of airlines that include Ibadan in their flight schedules. When we came in, we had only one airline with a regular flight to Ibadan. Now, we have regular flights, and I have seen growing activities around the airport. We are convinced that this project will endure.

“As I said earlier in my newsletter, this is a strategic investment, and I believe posterity will smile on us for opting to upgrade the Ibadan Airport Alakia to an international airport.”

The governor noted that the committee comprises the best in various fields, urging them to bring their expertise to bear in making history for the state.

“We have put together a team with the required expertise to deliver on this project. Mr. Bimbo Adekanmbi, a former Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State, will chair this committee. Alhaji Kabir Yusuf, a former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and Dr. Wale Babalakin, an entrepreneur and legal luminary, who has done this in the past, are also part of the team.

“We also have three officers from the Nigerian Air Force, including Air Commodore Ajiboye, an expert in airport management, operational efficiency, and security; Wing Commander Onyedima, an expert in runway construction and maintenance; and Squadron Leader Sheu, currently studying for his PhD in Transportation Engineering.

“I believe we have assembled the best of the best. This has nothing to do with politics, nepotism, or tribalism. We want to thank you all for agreeing to support us on this project,” he added.