The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced the temporary closure of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a statement issued to journalists on Sunday, Obiageli Orah, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, confirmed that the Federal Government had approved the closure.
She explained that the decision was made to facilitate extensive upgrade works aimed at enhancing the airport’s infrastructure and operational standards. According to her, the closure is necessary to enable the execution of critical improvements at the facility.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the temporary closure of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport (SLAA), Ibadan, due to ongoing upgrade works,” the statement read.
“As part of the Oyo State Government’s initiative to upgrade Ibadan Airport from a domestic to an international airport, various improvements and remodelling works are currently underway.”
The statement further noted that the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has closed the runway and suspended airport operations in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations.
The upgrade is part of the state government’s efforts to transform the aerodrome into an international airport.
“In compliance with aviation safety recommended standards and processes, the closure has become imperative to ensure the safety of passengers as well as airport personnel,” FAAN added.