Kogi Airport to Complement Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Says Governor Ododo
Lokoja, Kogi State.
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ahmed Ododo, has stated that the proposed Kogi Airport, when completed, will serve as a strategic complement to Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, easing congestion and enhancing accessibility for both travelers and investors.
Speaking during the formal handover of the airport project to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and Gamji Nigeria Limited on Wednesday at the Government House in Lokoja, Governor Ododo described the airport as a “legacy initiative” aimed at boosting regional connectivity and driving economic transformation in Kogi State.
The governor emphasized that Kogi’s strategic location, linking northern and southern Nigeria and connecting key commercial hubs, makes the state an ideal site for a world-class aviation facility. He further noted that the project will unlock significant opportunities in trade, agriculture, and solid minerals, while generating employment for residents.
Governor Ododo expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government for granting approval for the project, highlighting Kogi’s historical role in Nigeria’s aviation sector, where one of the earliest aircraft landings in the country took place.
According to Victor Atuluku, Kogi State Commissioner for Transportation, the airport project has undergone extensive planning and design phases and will feature landside infrastructure, airside facilities, and a terminal building. The airport will include a 3.6-kilometre runway capable of accommodating large aircraft, including heavy cargo planes, and will sit on approximately 4,000 hectares of land, with provisions for future expansion.
CCECC will oversee the technical aspects of the terminal and runway, while Gamji Nigeria Limited will manage perimeter fencing. The facility is also expected to support cargo operations with dedicated warehouses and a cargo terminal, positioning Kogi as a regional logistics hub, with projected annual passenger traffic of about 250,000.
Representatives of both contracting firms pledged adherence to international best practices. Jun Don Pin of CCECC assured timely delivery and quality execution, while Salau Mutalib of Gamji International commended the state government’s vision and promised full compliance with stipulated standards.
Governor Ododo concluded that the Kogi Airport will not only complement Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport but also place Kogi State on the map as a critical hub for aviation, trade, and economic development in Nigeria.