Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, says Akwa Ibom State is ahead of schedule in preparations for the commencement of international flights at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo.
Keyamo gave the assurance after inspecting facilities at the airport and holding a closed-door meeting with key stakeholders in the international aviation ecosystem, including Customs, Immigration, NDLEA, Quarantine, Police, DSS, NEMA and other aviation agencies.
Speaking after the meeting, the Minister said reports from the agencies confirmed a high level of readiness by the state, noting that only minor gaps remain ahead of the planned take-off in April 2026.
“From all we have heard, Akwa Ibom State is already ahead of the plan. They are not behind but ahead,” Keyamo said, stating that the gaps identified were “virtually very small.”
He described the airport as already operating at the level of a full international facility.
“Akwa Ibom State has gone ahead of schedule to become a full-blown international airport,” the Minister noted.
Keyamo expressed satisfaction with the facilities inspected, including the newly completed international terminal and the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility, which he said is a critical requirement for international operations.
“This facility we are seeing here is the MRO. That means all international airlines coming here have a facility where they can conduct routine checks before they fly out again. It is one of the standard requirements of any international airport,” the Minister explained.
Commending the state’s leadership, Keyamo described Akwa Ibom as a state blessed with visionary leaders who have consistently built on the foundations laid by their predecessors.
“Akwa Ibom State has been blessed with a succession of visionary leaders, and every one of them has been God-sent to this place. This is just one of the lines of successors we have here. We can only thank the visionaries of Akwa Ibom State,” he stated.
The minister noted that projects initiated decades ago are now yielding results.
“We also thank God for Pastor Umo Eno, who has actually consummated every plan of his predecessors. He has not abandoned the State’s Master Plan. We are happy that Pastor Umo Eno took it from where he met it, and by God’s grace, it is during his time that every foundation and seed laid 25 years ago has come to fruition,” Keyamo said.
Responding, Governor Umo Eno acknowledged the contributions of past leaders to the state’s development, describing the progress recorded as a product of continuity in governance.
“It is humbling. I have always said that Akwa Ibom is blessed with good leaders. They laid a good foundation, and each administration has built on it,” the Governor stated.
Governor Eno attributed the achievements to divine grace and collective effort.
“God used them to begin the work, but the promise could not be realised without us,” he stated.
He thanked the minister for his honesty and commitment to ensuring aviation infrastructure is effectively utilised for economic growth.
Governor Eno expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for approving the upgrade of the Victor Attah International Airport to international status and releasing funds for development projects.
“Let me also thank the President and Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for releasing statutory funds for development. If he did not make the funds available, there is no way we would have got to where we are today,” the Governor said.
He stressed that the projects were executed with state resources.
“This is not built with borrowed money. As you know, Akwa Ibom is not owing any bank a dime today. It is state funds,” Governor Eno added.
PIAK