The newly flagged-off Abia International Airport is set to transform Abia State into a commercial and industrial hub for the South-East, according to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony on Tuesday in Nsulu, Abia State, Keyamo emphasized the strategic significance of the project, which is a collaboration between the federal government and the Abia State government.
The Abia International Airport project upgrades an existing airstrip and reflects a partnership aimed at fostering regional development. While the federal government initiated the project, the state government is contributing to the runway upgrades. Keyamo described the initiative as part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive infrastructural growth across Nigeria.
“When I was briefing the president about the aviation sector, he asked me why Abia does not have at least an airstrip,” Keyamo recounted. “He emphasized that no part of the country should be left behind, and in the South-East, it was only Abia State that lacked an operational landing facility.”
Keyamo praised Abia State Governor Alex Otti for his proactive leadership, which transformed the initial plan for an airstrip into an international airport. “When I broke the news to Dr. Alex Otti about the federal government’s plans for an airstrip, he said, ‘No, I will partner with you; I will put in counterpart funding and let us upgrade it to an international airport,’” Keyamo revealed.
This collaborative effort is expected to boost Abia’s economy and solidify its position as the “heart of industrialization in the South-East.”
Keyamo highlighted the airport’s potential to serve as both a cargo and passenger hub, enabling the direct export of goods produced in Abia, known for its renowned products like textiles and leather goods. “There is no reason we cannot manufacture and process goods here and export directly from Abia instead of taking them elsewhere for logistics purposes,” he stated.
The minister also addressed concerns about the viability of new airports, arguing that airports act as catalysts for economic growth. “It is the airports that generate economic activity. An airport in Abia State will unlock the state’s full economic potential as an industrial hub,” Keyamo explained.
Beyond economic benefits, Keyamo underscored the social significance of airports, particularly for accessibility during emergencies. “It was not good that Abia had been cut off from the aviation ecosystem of this country. An airport is not just an economic asset but a social necessity,” he noted.
As construction begins on the Abia International Airport, expectations are high that the project will not only enhance trade and industry in the South-East but also bridge infrastructural gaps, reaffirming Abia’s critical role in Nigeria’s development.
