Fact-Check: False, President Tinubu is Not Responsible for the Upgrade of Ibadan Airport 

BY: Oluwaseye Ogunsanya 

Claim:

Akin Alabi, a member of the House of Representatives from Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency and chairman, house committee on works claimed that the Ibadan airport is being upgraded to international standard by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Verdict:

False. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government is not responsible for the upgrade of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan. 

Full Text:

Akin Alabi, a member of the House of Representatives from Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency and chairman, house committee on works claimed that the Ibadan airport is being upgraded to international standard by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Alabi made this claim over the weekend in a usual post announcing that he’s leaving Abuja for his constituency in Ibadan. 

Screenshot of the claim/X

The Federal Government of Nigeria has recently committed to a $615 million investment aimed at modernizing airports and enhancing security across the nation. This initiative will fund significant upgrades at key airports, including Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where Terminal B will be improved, and command and control centers will be established in airports located in Enugu, Port Harcourt, and Kano. Additionally, the funding will support the purchase of navigational systems and spare parts, along with a complete reconstruction of the old terminal at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.

Amid these developments, there is growing scrutiny regarding the role of the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government in upgrading the Ibadan airport to international standards. This check seeks to find out whether the Federal Government or Oyo State Government is responsible for the airport upgrade. 

Furthermore, several Nigerian states are facing criticism for their decisions to undertake or plan airport expansions. Critics argue that these projects may not align with the pressing needs of their populations, particularly as many are grappling with severe economic challenges and hunger. 

Verification

FactCheckAfrica conducted a comprehensive review of credible media reports via Google search regarding the upgrade of the Ibadan Airport. Our findings predominantly revealed reports about the Federal Government’s approval to upgrade the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport (SLAA), Alakia Ibadan to international standards, as well as the temporary shutdown of the airport by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). These developments prompted further investigation into which entity—the Federal Government or the Oyo State Government—is responsible for executing the airport upgrade.

Our findings show that in August 2024, the Oyo State Government proposed an ambitious plan to expand and upgrade the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, aiming to transform it into an international facility. Nairametrics reported here that this was disclosed when a delegation from the Oyo State Committee on the Airport Expansion Project, led by Mr. Bimbo Adekambi and Mr. Kabir Mohammed, a former Managing Director of FAAN, held their inaugural meeting with Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of FAAN, and her team on August 12, 2024. According to the report, the meeting focused on Governor Seyi Makinde’s proposal to expand, rehabilitate, and upgrade the Ibadan airport to international standards. 

Furthermore, Premium Times reported here that President Bola Tinubu has granted approval for the upgrade of the airport to an international airport. According to the report, the development was made known by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. 

“The President has graciously approved my request for the upgrade of Ibadan Airport to an international airport,” Mr Makinde said. 

Makinde’s statement was also corroborated by Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Segun Dada who stated that the Ibadan airport had never been upgraded since it was built in 1982, and it is expected to be upgraded with modern facilities because of the state’s potential to attract economic development.

Segun Dada’s Post on FG’s Approval of the Upgrade of Ibadan Airport/X

Following the approval of the upgrade of the airport, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said in March that it has temporarily shut the airport to facilitate extensive upgrade works to enhance infrastructure and operational standards.

In a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, FAAN stated that the Federal Government had approved the closure, which became necessary to enable the execution of critical improvements at the airport. Consequently, the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency closed the runway and suspended airport operations by the International Civil Aviation Organisation regulations.

Work has since commenced on the Airport upgrade which was flagged off last year September by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke. The project is being executed by Craneburg Construction Company, and is set to be completed by Quarter 1 2026. 

Flagoff of the Upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan/X

According to Oyo State Government Feedback Service, the latest milestone in the ongoing upgrade of the airport is the foundation stone laying for the new international terminal, marking the second phase of the upgrade. This terminal will increase passenger handling capacity from 100,000 to 1,000,000 annually.

“These upgrades to the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, position Oyo State as a key air travel hub, leveraging the growing southwest population and expected increase in air travel demand in the long term. The project is designed to transform the airport into a modern, world-class facility, enhancing travel experiences, boosting economic growth, attracting investments, and empowering the people of Oyo State.” It added. 

Why State Governments Seek Approval from the Federal Government to Build or Upgrade Airports in Nigeria

According to ICLG – Aviation Laws and Regulations, under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), aviation matters fall within the exclusive legislative jurisdiction of the National Assembly. This means only the Federal Government has the constitutional authority to regulate and oversee aviation activities in the country. Additionally, the Federal High Court has exclusive jurisdiction over aviation-related matters, including aircraft safety.

The principal legislation governing the aviation industry is the Civil Aviation Act, recently updated and re-enacted as the Civil Aviation Act 2022 (CAA 2022), which repealed the earlier CAA 2006. This law empowers the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to regulate all aspects of civil aviation, including aircraft registration, airworthiness, safety, security, air transport, personnel licensing, and the standards for aerodromes and air navigation services.

Furthermore, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Act 2022 established the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which is responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of most airports in the country on behalf of the Federal Government.

While state governments are permitted to build and operate airports, such projects require licensing and regulatory approval from the NCAA. This is because aviation remains a federally controlled domain, and all airports—whether federal, state-owned, or private—must comply with national aviation standards and safety regulations enforced by federal agencies like the NCAA and FAAN.

Therefore, states must seek federal approval before building or upgrading airports to ensure compliance with established safety, security, and operational standards mandated by Federal law.

Conclusion 

Based on a comprehensive review of credible media reports and available evidence, it can be concluded that the Oyo State Government is solely responsible for funding and executing the upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan. However, since aviation falls under the exclusive legislative jurisdiction of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the state must obtain approval from federal authorities such as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). These agencies are mandated to regulate and oversee airport operations to ensure national safety and compliance with aviation standards.