The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun who inaugurated the first commercial flight of the Gateway International Airport, Ilishan Remo, has said the commencement of commercial operations at the airport is a major step in the state’s vision to position the state as Nigeria’s emerging hub for modern aviation, commerce, and industrial growth.
Speaking at the airport during the inauguration ceremony on 7th October , 2025, Abiodun said the project, which began in 2021, was part of his administration’s plan to provide a well-modelled transport system for the state.
The aircraft owned by Valuejet, with registration number 5N-BXS and 90 passengers on board, departed the airport at 10:10 a.m. to Abuja.
The governor said his administration is determined to have the best-constructed, equipped, and befitting airport for the state.He noted that Ogun, regarded as Nigeria’s industrial capital, also has a population that makes it one of the country’s fastest-growing economies.
He added that the airport project is backed by strong business prospects, noting that it is located within an aerotropolis where numerous companies are setting up operations, including the world’s largest textile plant and the Nigeria customs village.
He appreciated regulators in the aviation sector, especially the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, for providing quality supervision for the airport.
“I am glad to be here today to actually witness the inaugural flight of a commercial aircraft taking off from Ogun State; this is not like AI, this is real. Commercial operations are starting from Ogun State in the lifetime of an administration.
“We came here in 2021; some people said it was just a photoshop, they said it was just politics, they mocked us, and they said this place is nothing but a dump site. Some even said that we were going to use this place as a cattle ranch.
“Some others had this airport built on a PowerPoint, but again, we are here today, and we have seen what can be achieved when there is vision, when there is collective vision, inclusive vision, inclusive participation, and when there is passion and diligence.
“We began to construct in late 2021; in February 2023, this same Valuejet was the first plane to land on this runway; it was a test flight of our runway. Building an airport is one thing; having an airport become operational is a totally different thing because it is a very highly regulated industry.”
The Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, noted that the airport is in line with the dreams of the State’s founding fathers and would expose the state to the outside world.
“I give it to the governor. This place was a refuse dump, but now it is the site of a world-class airport. I feel happy and on top of the world. There will be economic gains, and there will be comfort, as it will reduce the hassle of going to Lagos to travel by air.”
The member representing Imeko-Afon-Yewa North at the House of Representatives, Hon. Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka, noted that the airport has finally come to stay.He urged industrialists to take advantage and leverage their businesses while soliciting people’s support for the project.
The Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Ona-Najomo, commended the state government for abiding by all regulatory dictates of the regulatory agencies.
He expressed his willingness to give further support to the airport where necessary, especially for the takeoff of international flights in the nearest future.
The Managing Director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Farouk Umar, and other officials from the aviation sector were at the ceremony.
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