The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said it would close the Ibadan airport for six months to carry out maintenance and upgrading.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA spokesperson, announced this on Friday via his X handle.
The announcement came barely eight months after the state received President Bola Tinubu’s nod to have the airport upgraded to international level.
Achimugu tweeted: “Subject to new information, Ibadan airport is likely to be closed for six months for maintenance/upgrade, starting early March.”
In June, President Bola Tinubu approved the upgrade of Ibadan Domestic Airport, Alakia, to an international airport. Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, announced the news in Ibadan.
In an internet video clip, the governor stated, “The President has graciously approved my request for the upgrade of Ibadan Airport to an international airport.”
Makinde explained that when the renovation of the airport, which will involve the expansion and extension of the runway and overall upgrade of facilities, is completed, the state will begin to receive international flights from anywhere in the world into Ibadan.
In January 2025, the governor also announced the building of the new international terminal under the plans to expand the facility to international standards.
The announcement followed the groundbreaking on the first phase of the project, which was conducted on September 18, 2024.
Then, Makinde indicated that the project would be completed in two major phases: the first phase, which is already in progress, includes runway upgrades, airport light improvement, and fire service modifications.
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