Akinlade commends Governor Abiodun over launch of commercial flight operations at the Gateway International Airport

The chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Adekunle Akinlade has commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for achieving another major milestone with the launch of commercial flight operations at the Gateway International Airport.

Penpushing reports that Akinlade in reaction to the Tuesday October 7, 2025 inaugural commercial flights, operated by ValueJet at the airport described it as a landmark stride in the state’s infrastructural and economic advancement.

The former Deputy Governorship Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who later joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in his congratulatory message, hailed the Governor for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to projects that promote development, connectivity, and investment across Ogun.

Penpushing reports that Akinlade emphasized that the landmark achievement defines Abiodun’s legacy as a visionary leader and achiever, pointing out that the airport’s activation would not only strengthen Ogun state position as a commercial hub, but also open vast opportunities for tourism, trade, and industrial growth.

The airport situated along the Iperu–Ilishan axis, is set to become a key aviation and logistics center in southwestern Nigeria, with ValueJet pioneering the first phase of operations, the facility is expected to attract more airlines, boost investor confidence, and enhance the overall transport infrastructure of the state.

Penpushing further reports that stakeholders in same vein lauded the development as a testament to the Governor’s dedication to sustainable economic transformation and his determination to position Ogun as a leading destination for business and innovation in Nigeria.

The Governor had earlier in the day Ogun State Governor, inaugurated the first commercial flight, with aircraft owned by Valuejet, with registration number 5N-BXS and 90 passengers on board, departed the airport at 10:10 a.m. to Abuja.

Penpushing also reports that Abiodun said the journey to actualize the airport started in 2021 and was part of the vision to provide a well-modeled transport system for the state.

“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’, he stated.

“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’, Abiodun recalled.

“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.”

Penpushing reports that he emphasized that his administration was determined to have the best-constructed, equipped, and befitting airport for the state, noting that apart from being the industrial capital of the nation, the state is blessed with a population, making it the fastest-growing economy in Nigeria today.

The Governor added that the administration’s vision, is supported by several business cases, explaining that the airport is situated in an Aerotropolis, with many companies springing up, just as the biggest textile plant in the world and the Nigeria Customs Village are sited around the airport.

“It speaks for itself; more people are coming to live, work, and play in Ogun State, so this airport makes sense; it ticks the box of our multimodal transport master plan where we connect roads to rail to air, and soon, we will be connected to the sea,” Abiodun added.

Penpushing further reports that 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.

The member representing Imeko-Afon-Yewa North at the House of Representatives, Hon. Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka, on his part expressed delight that the airport has finally come to stay, enjoining industrialists to take advantage and leverage their businesses while soliciting people’s support for the project.

Penpushing also reports that the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Ona-Najomo, commended the state government for keeping faith with all regulatory dictates of the regulatory agencies, just as he expressed satisfaction with the project.

The Director General expressed his willingness to give further support to the airport where necessary, especially for the takeoff of international flights in the nearest future

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