New Ekiti Airport

The New Ekiti Airport is a proposed airport development serving the city of Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State. The project was initially rejected by the Nigerian Government, citing the project would conflict with plans to upgrade four airports to international standards. In 2015, Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose revisited the project, announcing plans to establish an airport for the state and commissioned the Lands and Housing Directorate to start a survey for an appropriate site. The proposed development has received State Council of Traditional Rulers approval in Sep-2015. The Ekiti State government agreed to include construction of New Ekiti Airport in its 2017 budget. Construction commenced on 18-Oct-2019.

Dec-2024. New Ekiti Airport reportedly received approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to commence non-scheduled flight operations, effective 15-Dec-2024. The approval of the non-scheduled operations under visual flight rules is for a six month period to 15-Jun-2025.

Feb-2023. Ekiti State's Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Management Niyi Adebayo said the state government allocated funds in its 2023 budget for the further development of New Ekiti Airport. The funds will be used for the procurement of navigational aids and lighting and completion of the terminal arrivals and departures areas, which will enable the airport to commence full operations. Mr Adebayo said the airport can currently only handle military aircraft. He said the Ekiti Government has spent NGN16.5 billion (USD35.8 million) on the airport project so far, including funding for the runway and taxiway, the terminal building, perimeter fencing and land acquisition.

Oct-2022. Nigeria's Minister for Aviation Hadi Sirika announced the commissioning of New Ekiti Airport on 15-Oct-2022.

Jul-2022. Nigeria's Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi reported the airport's 3.2km runway is complete, and was constructed with capacity to handle all types of aircraft.

May-2022. Ekiti State's Governor Kayode Fayemi confirmed he expects the New Ekiti Airport project to be complete before the end of his term as governor in Oct-2022.

Aug-2021. Ekiti State's Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi, speaking on behalf of Governor Kayode Fayemi, stated the New Ekiti Airport project will be complete before the end of Mr Fayemi's term as Governor on 15-Oct-2022.

May-2021. New Libreville International Airport received ICAO certification on 08-May-2021, signifying the airport complies with design and operational standards outlined by ICAO.

Oct-2019. Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi stated the State's new 'Agro-Cargo Airport' will have a long term positive impact on agriculture and investment. Dr Fayemi and Nigeria's Minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika conducted a ground breaking ceremony for the New Ekiti Airport project on 18-Oct-2019.

Oct-2016. Nigeria's Ekiti State government plans to include construction of New Ekiti Airport in its 2017 budget. Ekiti's Secretary to the State Government Dr Modupe Alade reiterated project "has not been abandoned, work had to stop there because some people went to court and as a law-abiding government, we had to stop action there but it (the project) will be repeated in the 2017 budget".

Oct-2015.

14-Oct-2015. Nigeria's Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose ordered a halt on the Ado Ekiti Airport project. The suspension was ordered due to disputes and tensions over land acquired for the airport, compensation issues and a lack of prior building notice. Construction has been postponed to Dec-2015, allowing time to resolve the concerns.

06-Oct-2015. Ekiti’s State Government commenced clearing 4000 hectares of land for the New Ekiti Airport. Ekiti state commissioner for works Kayode Oso said: “We are hoping that in two months, we will be through with the site clearing after which the governor would inaugurate construction on the site.” Mr Oso noted the project team has engaged several consultancy firms and professionals as well as visited other airports within the country to assist in planning.

Sep-2015. Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers voted to support the Ekiti State Government proposal to develop an airport in the state. The proposal was first made in 2010, but had been delayed due to an extended approvals process. Work is expected to commence shortly and is projected for completion by the end of 2016.

Sep-2015. Nigeria's Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose reportedly plans to establish an airport for the state and has commissioned the Lands and Housing Directorate to start a survey for an appropriate site.

Oct-2013. Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan said the government plans to construct an airport in Ekiti State in the country's southwest.

May-2010. Ekiti State Government inaugurated an eight-person committee to govern the construction of the proposed Ado-Ekiti Airport.

Jan-2010. Nigerian Federal Government denies proposal for Ekiti Airport project.