Seeing Commercial Flights in My Lifetime in Ado-Ekiti Is a Dream Come True – Aare Afe Babalola, SAN

The Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, has expressed profound joy at the inauguration of commercial flight operations at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, describing the milestone as “a dream come true” and “a blessing to witness in my lifetime.”

Aare Babalola, who was represented at the event by the Vice-Chancellor of ABUAD, Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI, commended all stakeholders whose contributions brought the project to fruition. He also called for expanded transport infrastructure to further accelerate economic growth in the state:

“Ekiti State urgently needs a railway system linking Osogbo to Ado-Ekiti, Akure, and onward to Onitsha. This will provide a faster, safer, and more affordable means of transporting goods and people in a modern economy,” he noted.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, disclosed that the state government has invested over ₦49 billion directly in the airport project. He further praised Aare Babalola for his significant philanthropic support.

“Aare Babalola donated the airport’s navigational aids (CVOR/DME) and control tower equipment valued at $1.6 million, and constructed the 100-car capacity parking lot at a cost of ₦357 million,” Governor Oyebanji revealed.

The governor also acknowledged the roles of his predecessors, noting that the project began under former Governor Ayodele Fayose, advanced under Dr. Kayode Fayemi who facilitated the airport’s first test flight and was completed under the present administration, culminating in the launch of commercial operations.

Representing the Minister of Aviation, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yakubu Kofarmata, described the inauguration as a “historic milestone” aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda for aviation development and job creation.

Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, whose aircraft with registration number 5N-BWY landed at the airport with 50 passengers on board shortly after 11 a.m., expressed gratitude for the partnership with Ekiti State and ABUAD. He also emphasized the need for regulatory action to address multiple taxation faced by airline operators, noting that such reforms would lower ticket prices for Nigerians.

Professor Okonkwo announced discounted fares for ABUAD students and commended the institution for its collaboration. “United Nigeria Airlines is committed to uniting people across tribes and political divides, and today’s gathering clearly reflects that unity,” he said.

Conceived over two decades ago, the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport has now transitioned from vision to reality, with ABUAD students constituting a significant portion of the first set of passengers with an early indication of growing patronage as more students prepare to travel for the Christmas break. 

Meanwhile, the facility has already created 105 direct aviation jobs, with substantial prospects for indirect employment and broader economic expansion.