Ogun State marked a major milestone in its infrastructure and economic development journey with the commissioning of the Gateway International Cargo Airport in Iperu and the unveiling of the state-owned airline, Gateway Air.
The landmark aviation projects were inaugurated during an official visit by President Bola Tinubu to the Gateway State on Saturday, April 4, 2026, underscoring Ogun’s growing ambition to position itself as a strategic logistics, transportation, and commercial hub in Nigeria.
The launch of Gateway Air alongside the new cargo airport represents a bold step toward strengthening connectivity for business, agriculture, and trade across the region. Two newly acquired aircraft for the airline were unveiled during the ceremony, signaling the state’s entry into the aviation sector and its commitment to supporting economic expansion through modern transportation infrastructure.
Beyond the aviation milestone, the visit also featured the commissioning and inspection of several major projects spanning road construction, energy, security, agriculture, and emergency services.
Among them were key road developments including the Ilishan–Iperu Road in Ikenne Local Government Area, the Sagamu–Iperu–Ode Remo–Sapade Road (Phase Three of the old Sagamu–Ibadan Expressway), and the Gateway International Airport access road. These road networks are expected to significantly enhance mobility, improve logistics around the airport corridor, and strengthen connectivity between major economic zones within the state.
In the area of energy infrastructure, the state also showcased its 34-megawatt Independent Power Plant located near Ewekoro, a facility designed to provide reliable electricity support for critical infrastructure, including the airport and surrounding industrial clusters.
Security and emergency response capabilities also received a boost with the deployment of new operational assets. The state introduced security vehicles, ambulances, and 1,000 electric motorcycles aimed at strengthening surveillance, improving rapid response capacity, and modernizing urban mobility.
Agricultural development was another focus of the projects unveiled, with tractors and other mechanised equipment distributed to support farming activities and increase productivity across Ogun’s agricultural value chain.
The commissioning event also featured the unveiling of an Aviation Village and the Nigeria Customs Service hub, which includes operational facilities such as barracks, training structures, warehouses, and healthcare services designed to support cargo operations and improve trade facilitation at the airport as well as deliver international standard operational capacity across Lagos and the South- West corridor.
In addition, the ceremony marked the flag-off of the construction of the Gateway International Conference Centre, a project envisioned to enhance Ogun State’s capacity to host major regional and international events.
Collectively, the projects reflect a broad development strategy aimed at strengthening transportation networks, expanding energy capacity, improving security infrastructure, and stimulating economic activity across multiple sectors.
For Ogun State, the commissioning of the airport and the launch of Gateway Air stand as the centrepiece of a wider transformation agenda, one designed to position the state as a key gateway for commerce, logistics, and investment in southwestern Nigeria.
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