Kogi Airport Project 20% Complete as Ododo Praises Tinubu’s Support

Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo has praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting the state’s international airport project, describing the initiative as a sign of the Federal Government’s commitment to developing critical infrastructure across Nigeria.

Ododo spoke on Tuesday during an inspection of the ongoing Kogi State International Airport project in Zariagi, near Lokoja, where he assessed construction progress and expressed confidence in the project’s potential to boost economic activity.

The governor said the airport would improve connectivity, attract investment and stimulate economic growth. He added that Kogi’s strategic location near major commercial centres, including the Federal Capital Territory, made the project important for unlocking the state’s economic potential.

Ododo noted that Kogi had operated without its own airport despite its location and commercial connections until the Tinubu administration approved and supported the project. He said his administration would continue monitoring construction to ensure that work meets the required standards and timelines.

The governor expressed optimism that the airport would reach an advanced stage of development by next year. He also challenged critics questioning the project’s feasibility to visit the construction site and assess the progress firsthand.

“Please, I want them to come here to see things by themselves. It is not an AI thing. You can see the equipment working, and they are working day and night. We are not going to make noise about it; we invite them to come and see,” Ododo said.

Sun Yishi, project manager at CCECC Nigeria Limited’s Kogi State project office, said construction was approximately 20 per cent complete. He explained that current activities focused mainly on earthworks for the runway and its associated safety areas, including excavation, filling, laterite placement and ground preparation ahead of pavement construction.

Adebayo Adidipe, lead consultant at Arcade Consultants Limited, gave a slightly higher estimate, putting overall completion at between 20 and 25 per cent. He expressed confidence in the project’s progress and commended Ododo and officials of the state Ministry of Transportation for their support, adding that issues raised by the project team had received prompt attention.