Ogun’s Gateway Airport Gets Historic NCAA Operational Permit

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued the Gateway International Airport, Ilisan-Iperu, Ogun State, with Nigeria’s first-ever Aerodrome Operational Permit (AOP). This landmark approval positions the facility as the first newly constructed airport in the country to receive this certification under the NCAA’s current, enhanced regulatory framework.

The AOP was granted after a comprehensive audit and inspection of the airport’s facilities, including its equipment, navigational aids (NAVAIDS), firefighting apparatus, and staff operational readiness. NCAA officials praised the airport as a model for future aviation infrastructure, noting its modern facilities and high standards. The permit, which gives the airport an Aerodrome Reference Code of 3C and an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS) Category 6 rating, certifies it for commercial flight operations.

24-Hour Operations Cleared by NAMA
In a related development, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has declared the Instrument Landing System/Distance Measuring Equipment (ILS/DME) on Runway 23 of the Gateway International Airport as “totally satisfactory in all respects.” Following a successful flight inspection, the system was cleared for unrestricted use, a critical step that will allow the airport to operate 24 hours a day in all types of weather. This capability is especially important for its role as a designated alternate airport to Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

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A New Benchmark for Aviation Development
Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, described the dual certifications as a validation of his administration’s vision to transform Ogun State into a regional hub for commerce and global connectivity. He noted that this achievement is a significant milestone for both Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole, setting a new benchmark for aviation safety and infrastructure.

The Gateway International Airport is set to be a game-changer for the region. The certifications will enable safer and more reliable flight operations, provide direct international market access for local farmers and businesses through its cargo operations, create job opportunities for the youth, and help reduce the chronic congestion at Lagos airports. An international logistics company has already agreed to operate two weekly cargo flights from London to the new airport, and passenger flights to Abuja and Port Harcourt are expected to begin soon.