Akwa Ibom State has taken a major step in Nigeria’s aviation sector with the opening of a new international terminal designed to function as a transit hub.
Read More Related Breaking Stories from Our Nigeria News
The facility, located at the Victor Attah International Airport, was commissioned by Governor Umo Eno, who described the project as the result of decades of planning and investment.
Speaking at the event, Eno said the airport is part of a broader plan to build a strong aviation system that can drive economic growth in the state.
He said, “We are steadily building the aviation ecosystem in Akwa Ibom.”
He added that more projects, including a maintenance facility and cargo terminal, are underway.
Read More News Update
FG disburses ₦18.78bn in Akwa Ibom under HoPE cash transfer programme
Akwa Ibom community gets first general hospital since 1976
The governor noted that the project took over 20 years to complete, crediting past administrations for laying the foundation.
He said further, “This project has taken over 24 years… it was not a sprint, it was a marathon.”
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the new terminal as a unique facility in Nigeria.
He stated, “This is not a terminal building… it is a transit hub.”
According to him, the airport allows passengers to move easily between local and international flights without leaving the terminal, a system common in major global airports but new in Nigeria.
Keyamo added, “People can come here and transfer from international to international, domestic to international, and international to domestic. It does not exist in any subnational anywhere in the country.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, also said the facility would improve travel experience and attract more passengers.
He explained that travellers could connect through Uyo without going through full entry processes, similar to what happens in major airports in Europe.
With the launch of the terminal and a test flight to Accra, Ghana, the airport is expected to begin full international operations in the coming months after necessary approvals.
Looking at it, the project could boost tourism, trade, and regional travel, placing Akwa Ibom on the map as a growing aviation hub in Africa.
For More News Details, Visit New Daily Prime
