The Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan came alive on Wednesday as it welcomed its first aircraft since March 2025, when it was shut down for an extensive upgrade to international standards.
The flight, carrying members of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s advance team ahead of Friday’s visit, landed smoothly at exactly 9:14 a.m., drawing excitement from those present at the airport.
President Tinubu is scheduled to arrive in Ibadan on Friday, September 26, 2025, for the coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
The successful landing signals the readiness of the revamped airport to accommodate high-profile operations, while also marking a new phase for future arrivals and departures.
The airport upgrade, flagged off in September 2024 by Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, was envisioned to reposition the state as a global economic hub. At the groundbreaking, Makinde had stressed that the project would strengthen air travel, improve connectivity, and open new doors for trade, business, and tourism.
Already, his administration has revamped the airport’s VIP lounge, supplied a modern fire truck, and installed a 500,000-litre aviation fuel storage and dispensing facility all part of efforts to meet international aviation standards.
