Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has outlined the economic and regional benefits of the newly attained international status of the Victor Attah International Airport.
He described it as a development that will impact not only the state but Nigeria and the wider Gulf of Guinea region.
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Speaking during a press briefing on his return from the maiden international flight from Accra, Ghana, the governor said the milestone would stimulate growth across multiple sectors, particularly tourism, trade, and investment.
Eno noted that the availability of direct international connectivity would eliminate the need for passengers to transit through other countries within the sub-region, while positioning Akwa Ibom as a destination for global engagements.
“We cannot succeed in tourism without a functional airport. Now that we have gone international, we can connect directly within the sub-region without overflying Nigeria as was previously the case,” he said.
He also expressed optimism that the development would transform Uyo into a hub for international conferences, drawing comparisons with established destinations such as Kigali, especially with ongoing investments in conference and hospitality infrastructure.
He further disclosed plans to establish a cargo terminal to strengthen trade routes and expand the airport’s capacity within the regional aviation network.
As part of efforts to consolidate gains in the sector, the governor announced the creation of a Ministry of Aviation and Airport Development, with Uwem Ekanem appointed to oversee its affairs pending the appointment of a substantive commissioner.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the airport’s international designation, and praised the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for his role in coordinating stakeholders and ensuring regulatory compliance for the successful take-off of international operations.
Reflecting on the airport’s development, Governor Eno acknowledged the contributions of past administrations, including those of Victor Attah, Godswill Akpabio, and Udom Emmanuel, describing leadership as a continuum built on successive efforts.
The governor also revealed plans to expand the fleet of Ibom Air to 10 aircraft, with an additional airbus expected in June, alongside continued investment in human capacity development.
He said the state had trained pilots and engineers across international institutions, while also expanding training to cover airport operations, facility management, and maintenance.
According to him, more than 10 major projects are ongoing within the aviation ecosystem, including a second runway, apron expansion, aviation village, perimeter fencing, medical facilities, and modern security systems.
Governor Eno clarified that the maiden international flight represents the activation of the airport’s international certification, adding that full commercial operations will commence upon completion of regulatory processes.
He further disclosed plans to list Ibom Air on the stock exchange in the future as part of a broader strategy to ensure sustainability through diversification.
Looking ahead, the governor said ongoing investments in tourism and infrastructure, including conference facilities, hospitality projects, and heritage site, would position the state to attract global visitors.
He described the milestone as a collective achievement, appreciating stakeholders across government and the aviation sector for their contributions to what he termed a turning point in the state’s development trajectory.
