Ogun State Government has intensified efforts to commence international passenger services at the Gateway International Airport, beginning with hajj flights to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This, it said, was part of a broader plan to expand aviation infrastructure and boost economic activity in the state and the wider South-West region of Nigeria.
The state government said it had initiated a series of high-level engagements with the federal agencies whose statutory responsibilities are critical to the launch of international operations, including hajj flights and cargo services from the airport.
Officials said the discussions focused on ensuring the airport meets all regulatory and operational requirements ahead of its planned international debut.
They include security architecture, deployment of specialised personnel, passenger processing systems and full regulatory compliance under the supervision of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Meanwhile, to coordinate the process, Governor Dapo Abiodun has mandated the Consultant on Aviation Matters and Accountable Manager of Gateway International Airport, Captain Dapo Olumide, to lead consultations with the relevant federal agencies.
Olumide has, however, held meetings with leadership teams from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), whose delegation was led by Assistant Comptroller-General B. Mohammed.
The engagements aimed at ensuring the timely deployment of the operational infrastructure and personnel required for international passenger processing and cargo operations at the airport.
