Photo File: Gateway International Airport (GWI), Ogun state.

In a historic moment for Ogun State and Nigeria’s aviation industry, the newly constructed Gateway International Airport (GWI) officially commenced commercial flight operations on Tuesday morning, despite challenging rainy conditions.

The inaugural ValueJet flight to Abuja marked a major milestone in the state’s infrastructure development, with passengers seen queuing at the terminal and braving the elements to be part of the landmark journey.

News reporters and media houses captured the significance of the event live, as GWI became operational for scheduled passenger services for the first time. The flight is part of a newly launched ValueJet route that will operate twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays to Abuja, with return flights scheduled to depart Abuja at 4:00 p.m. and arrive in Ogun by 5:15 p.m., according to Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy.

Photo File: Ogun State Governor, Governor Dapo Abiodun on inauguration day of Gateway International Airport, Ilisan-Iperu, Remo Road, Ogun state. [CREDIT: Man of Letter/X]

Governor Dapo Abiodun, who has spearheaded the airport project, highlighted the event as a “historic milestone” not only for Ogun but for Nigeria as a whole.

Speaking in Abeokuta on Monday after a meeting with Captain Chris Najomo, Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to maintaining “the highest standards of safety” as full-scale operations begin.

“We reiterated our administration’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance as we prepare for full-scale commercial flight operations at the airport,” Abiodun said.

The Gateway International Airport had in August received its Aerodrome Operational Permit from the NCAA—an approval granted only after comprehensive technical inspections, on-site verifications, and audits. This permit officially allowed the commencement of commercial operations and assigned the airport an Aerodrome Reference Code of 3C along with a Category 6 rating for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS). According to reporters, this makes GWI the first airport in Nigeria to receive such certification under current regulatory standards.

The airport will operate daytime flights from sunrise to sunset, with Runway 05/23 supporting non-precision approach and Area Navigation (RNAV) procedures, ensuring safety and efficiency in aircraft handling. The modern airport facilities are designed to meet international standards, positioning it as a model for future aviation infrastructure in Nigeria, as noted by the NCAA following its assessment.

Photo File: Murtala Mohammad International (MMI), Lagos.

Located strategically along the Ilisan-Iperu, Remo road, the airport is easily accessible and well-placed to decongest Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, currently one of the busiest in the country. The launch of GWI is expected to boost trade, investment, tourism, and logistics across Ogun and its neighboring regions.

In addition to the ValueJet passenger services, the airport is already attracting international interest. A global logistics firm has committed to operating two weekly cargo flights between London and GWI, further enhancing the airport’s status as a regional aviation hub. The airport has also been designated as an alternate landing site for Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, enhancing its strategic role in both domestic and international aviation networks.

Beyond the technical and economic aspects, the impact of GWI is expected to be profound in terms of job creation, regional connectivity, and socioeconomic development. Governor Abiodun emphasized that the airport stands as a testament to his administration’s dedication to modern infrastructure and economic transformation.

As Gateway International Airport roars to life, all eyes are now on how this ambitious project will shape the future of air travel, commerce, and mobility in Nigeria—ushering in a new chapter for both Ogun State and the country at large.