FAAN shuts down Ibadan airport for upgrade

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced the temporary closure of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport (SLAA), Ibadan, to facilitate extensive upgrade works to enhance the airport’s infrastructure and operational standards.

FAAN confirmed in a statement on Saturday that the Federal Government of Nigeria had approved the closure, which became necessary to enable the execution of critical improvements at the airport.

The Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has consequently closed the runway and suspended airport operations by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations.

The planned upgrades are said to form part of the Oyo State Government’s strategic initiative to elevate Ibadan Airport from a domestic to an international airport.

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Various improvements and remodelling works are currently underway to meet global standards and improve passenger experience.

FAAN in its statement noted that the closure aligns with aviation safety recommendations and best practices, underscoring the importance of ensuring the safety of both passengers and airport personnel during the upgrade period.

FAAN appealed to all airport users and stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation throughout the closure.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.