After years of anticipation and intermittent developments, the long-awaited Ido-Osun Airport project in Osun State is set to commence soon, as the state government has declared renewed commitment to actualising the ambitious infrastructure. This announcement is coming amidst fresh assurances by relevant authorities that the project, which has lingered for over a decade, will finally take off under the current administration.
Located in Ido-Osun, near the state capital Osogbo, the project was initially conceived during the administration of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in the early 2000s. It was later christened the MKO Abiola International Airport in honour of the late business mogul and acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. Since then, the airport project has gone through multiple phases of inactivity, with successive administrations expressing varying degrees of commitment.
In the latest development, Osun State’s Commissioner for Transportation, Sesan Oyedele, revealed during a recent inspection that the project is now a key priority for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration. According to Oyedele, the government is engaging relevant federal authorities and potential investors to mobilise resources and technical expertise to commence the construction phase without further delays.
“This is not just another political statement. We are at an advanced stage of consultation and planning. The people of Osun will soon see physical activities on the site,” Oyedele told journalists while speaking at the project location. He emphasized that the state has been in contact with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with all aviation standards.
The project is envisioned to serve both domestic and international flights, providing a major economic boost to Osun State and the South-West region at large. It is also expected to open up trade corridors, attract investment, and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs across different sectors.
Observers note that the site of the proposed airport is strategically positioned, bordered by major cities such as Ibadan, Akure, and Ilorin, which makes it a potential hub for regional connectivity. Infrastructural experts have long argued that completing the Ido-Osun Airport could decongest traffic from Lagos and Abuja airports while offering an alternative route for air travelers in the heart of the Yoruba-speaking states.
However, concerns linger over funding, project transparency, and the possibility of another round of political foot-dragging. Residents of Ido-Osun and its environs have called on the government to match words with action and ensure the project is not abandoned yet again.
In a state still grappling with infrastructure deficits, the successful execution of the airport project could become a defining legacy for Governor Adeleke, who has made industrial development one of the focal points of his administration.
As the wait narrows, all eyes are now on the state government to translate its commitment into tangible progress on site—bringing to life a vision that has remained on paper for far too long.
