Ogun State’s Gateway International Airport Launches Maiden Commercial Flight

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has officially inaugurated the first commercial flight from Gateway International Airport, Ilishan Remo, marking a historic milestone for the state’s aviation sector and economic development. The maiden flight, operated by ValueJet with registration number 5N-BXS and 90 passengers onboard, departed at 10:10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, to Abuja.

Governor Abiodun recalled that the journey to realize the airport began in 2021 amid skepticism from critics who doubted the project’s feasibility. Today, the airport stands as a testament to his administration’s vision to establish a modern and integrated transport system in Ogun State. The Gateway International Airport is strategically located along Iperu-Ilisan road within the Ikenne Local Government Area, embedded in an Aerotropolis that hosts major industrial entities including the world’s biggest textile plant and the Nigeria Customs Village.

The governor emphasized that the airport complements the state’s multimodal transport master plan connecting road, rail, air, and soon sea transport, aiming to boost industrial growth, trade, tourism, and overall socioeconomic progress. He expressed gratitude to aviation regulators, especially the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, for their quality supervision throughout the certification process of the airport.

ADVERTISEMENT

Local government leaders, federal lawmakers, and aviation officials present shared enthusiasm for the milestone, highlighting the airport’s potential to reduce the travel hassle to Lagos, enhance economic opportunities, and position Ogun as a leading investment destination.

This inauguration signifies a turning point whereby Ogun State officially joins the league of Nigerian states operating commercial airports, opening doors to new investments, job creation, and improved connectivity within Nigeria.