EDO, BENIN CITY – The Federal Government has commenced concrete steps toward the establishment of an indigenous airline for Edo State, following a strategic meeting between the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, and Governor Monday Okpebholo in Abuja.
Governor Okpebholo, who paid a working visit to the Aviation Minister on Thursday, outlined Edo State’s plan to immediately activate a homegrown airline operating from the Benin Airport, positioning aviation as a catalyst for economic recovery.
According to a statement issued by the Minister’s office and published on his official X handle, the visit focused on advancing discussions around regulatory processes, investment inflow, and operational timelines for the proposed airline.
Governor Okpebholo, accompanied by senior members of his cabinet, told the Minister that Edo State views aviation development as central to investment attraction, job creation, and the repositioning of Benin as a commercial hub.
The Governor disclosed that the state government has already opened talks with prospective partners, including South African investors, who have indicated readiness to provide aircraft for the airline’s take-off phase.
“If I have my way, I want this airline to kick off immediately, like tomorrow, even before the election,” Okpebholo said, stressing that Edo State requires a strong aviation presence to unlock its economic potential.
He added that the proposed airline would significantly improve connectivity, reduce travel bottlenecks, and stimulate business activities across Edo State and the wider South-South region.
Responding, Minister Keyamo described the initiative as timely, visionary, and aligned with the Federal Government’s drive to strengthen indigenous airline operations and regional air connectivity.
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Keyamo revealed that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has also been engaging potential investors who have expressed strong interest in the commercial prospects of the Benin Airport.
He recalled the historical relevance of Benin Airport, noting that it once played a strategic role in Nigeria’s aviation sector during the era of the defunct Okada Air, which served the old Midwest region.
“Benin Airport used to be a strong aviation hub during the glory days of Okada Air,” Keyamo said, adding that there is no justification for the airport’s diminished role in current aviation operations.
According to the Minister, renewed investor interest confirms that Benin Airport possesses the infrastructure, location, and market demand required to reclaim its former status within Nigeria’s aviation network.
To accelerate the process, Keyamo announced the immediate establishment of a technical committee to oversee planning, coordination, and compliance with aviation regulations governing airline operations in Nigeria.
He requested Governor Okpebholo to nominate a focal person who would work directly with the Director of Air Transport Management at the Ministry to ensure seamless engagement and operational alignment.
“This committee will report to me and you on a weekly basis for effective coordination,” the Minister stated, emphasizing accountability and timelines in the execution of the project.
Keyamo assured that, with sustained collaboration between the Federal Ministry and the Edo State Government, Benin Airport could achieve full operational readiness within the first or second quarter of the year.
Industry analysts say the proposed airline could boost passenger traffic, enhance cargo movement, and strengthen regional integration, particularly for business and tourism activities linked to Edo State.
They note that state-backed aviation initiatives, when aligned with federal regulatory frameworks, can attract private capital and improve aviation service delivery without overburdening public finances.
The meeting, observers say, reflects the Federal Government’s broader policy direction of supporting state-led development initiatives that complement national infrastructure and transport goals.
According to the Minister’s office, the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes economic diversification, infrastructure development, and private sector participation.
The engagement also underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem through regional hubs that reduce congestion at major airports while expanding access nationwide.
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Aviation stakeholders believe that reviving Benin Airport’s hub status could ease pressure on Lagos routes and create alternative pathways for domestic and regional air travel.
Truth live news reports that the press release was signed by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
With the technical committee now in place, attention will shift to regulatory approvals, investor commitments, fleet acquisition, and operational readiness as Edo State pushes to launch its indigenous airline.
If successfully implemented, the project could mark a significant milestone in subnational participation in Nigeria’s aviation sector, setting a template for other states exploring similar initiatives.
