The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced the temporary closure of Ibadan Airport for six months to allow for maintenance and upgrade works.
The agency’s spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, disclosed this on Friday via his X (formerly Twitter) handle. The decision comes just eight months after President Bola Tinubu approved the upgrade of the airport to international status.
In his post, Achimugu stated, “Subject to new information, Ibadan airport may be shut down for six months for maintenance/upgrade, starting from early March.”
Background On the Ibadan Airport Upgrade
In June 2024, President Tinubu approved the conversion of the Ibadan Domestic Airport, Alakia, into an international airport. The announcement was made by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who expressed optimism about the transformation.
Makinde emphasized that once completed, the upgrade would include:
- Runway expansion and extension
- Facility enhancements
- International flight operations
He further revealed that January 2025 would mark the commencement of the construction of a new international terminal as part of the modernization project.
The upgrade process officially began with a groundbreaking ceremony on September 18, 2024, signaling the start of the first phase. Makinde had earlier outlined that the project would be completed in two major stages, with the initial phase focusing on runway improvements, lighting upgrades, and fire service enhancements.