Kehinde Fajobi
The Kogi State Government has received federal approval to build an international airport in Zariagi, a strategic location chosen for its existing airstrip and accessibility.
Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi State’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, shared the announcement, citing a letter from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development dated 9 October 2024.
According to Fanwo, Governor Usman Ododo’s administration is committed to ensuring the project meets strict regulatory standards and is completed on time.
“The Ododo Administration has considered it a top priority for Kogi State to have an international airport and join the league of aviation hubs,” he explained.
The airport, situated in Kogi’s central location, aims to ease traffic on the Lokoja-Abuja road and help decongest Abuja’s international airport.
Beyond improving transportation, the project is expected to drive Kogi’s economy by creating jobs and enhancing the state’s visibility on the global stage.
“The strategic location of the state is no doubt, an invaluable advantage in harnessing the aviation service market as the centre of the nation,” Fanwo added.
Acknowledging the federal support, the commissioner expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation for advancing the initiative, which includes facilities for cargo handling.
“We want to also say that the airport will also have capacity for cargo as that is one of our key focuses in the project,” he noted, highlighting its potential to boost regional trade.
Determined to deliver a high-quality airport, the state plans to enlist top industry experts, emphasising that “aviation is an industry of trust and standards.”
Fanwo reassured Kogi residents that the administration remains focused on impactful projects, building on achievements of the past eight years.
A team from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development recently visited Zariagi, assessing and approving the site as ideal for the scale and vision of the new airport.