Ogun’s Gateway Airport Sets New Standard with West Africa’s Longest Runway
Ogun State has officially announced that its Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport is the top airport in Nigeria and the wider West African region, featuring the longest runway. This significant achievement was highlighted during a meeting with the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) at the airport, which was attended by key government officials, including the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, Airport Manager Captain Dapo Olumide, and the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade.
At the meeting, Akinsanya emphasized that the airport’s facilities set it apart as the finest in both Nigeria and the West African corridor, with a runway designed to accommodate large, wide-bodied aircraft.
According to Akinsanya, the airport is nearly complete, with 95-98 percent of the project finished. The runway itself is an impressive 4 kilometers long and 60 meters wide—equivalent to the width of 17 lanes of road—making it the largest and longest in Nigeria and West Africa. This design was deliberately planned to cater to international flights, including large aircraft like the Boeing 777 or Airbus A350.
He explained: “The entire airport spans 5,000 hectares, though we started the first phase on 900 hectares. What you see as open space is part of a larger vision because this airport will evolve into an aerotropolis. Future plans include hotels, amusement parks, and cinemas. However, we can’t develop everything overnight.”
Akinsanya expressed confidence that the airport is almost ready to begin commercial operations once it receives approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), noting that chartered flights are already authorized. He also highlighted that key infrastructure, including the completed runway and fire station (with an increasing number of fire tenders), are fully operational. The airport is currently classified as a Class 6 facility and is set to upgrade to Class 7 with the additional fire equipment.
Captain Olumide, the Airport Manager, also confirmed that the Gateway Airport will be the first in Nigeria to operate with an official operating permit, a distinction that will enable the facility to meet the more stringent ENCAS 2023 permit requirements, surpassing the traditional Aerodrome Certification.
The Commissioner for Transportation also reiterated that the airport is located within a special agricultural processing zone, one of eight such zones across Nigeria. He described the airport as a crucial legacy project of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Explaining the slight delay in the project’s completion, Captain Olumide emphasized that the government’s aim was to ensure the airport meets higher operational standards, which is why it has taken longer than typical projects in the industry. He pointed out that while some may expect rapid development, achieving the new operating status requires more comprehensive planning and preparation.
