*Ododo: Airport will open Kogi to global trade, access to International markets
By Ojotule Romanus
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has flagged off the construction of the Kogi International Cargo Airport in Zariagi, Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, performed the groundbreaking on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
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Keyamo said the project would open Kogi to global investment, trade and economic opportunities, and place Zariagi on the global aviation map.
“Today, as from today, this village called Zariagi, will be on the global aviation map. Everywhere you have an airport in the world, you give it a global code. As from today, Zariagi has a code in the global aviation world through the International Air Transport Association, IATA,” he said.
He dismissed criticism of the project, saying major infrastructure must come first to attract investment, rather than waiting for businesses to arrive before providing facilities.
He said the airport would create between 2,000 and 3,000 direct and indirect jobs for Kogi residents, and urged the host community and stakeholders to support its execution.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, described the groundbreaking as a milestone in the economic transformation of the state.
He said the airport would strengthen Kogi’s position as a centre for commerce, transportation, logistics and investment, and open opportunities in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism and hospitality.
He said the cargo facilities would particularly benefit farmers and agro-processors by improving access to national and international markets.
“Kogi State produces significant quantities of cashew, cassava and other agricultural commodities. With improved transportation and cargo-handling facilities, our farmers and agro-processors will have better access to national and international markets,” Ododo said.
He called on investors and business leaders to take advantage of the opportunities, assuring them that Kogi was open for business.
He thanked Tinubu and the Federal Government for their support for infrastructure development.
The Commissioner for Works, Momoh Ozigi, said the airport was an economic strategy to move Kogi beyond a civil service-based economy to industrial and commercial development.
Presenting the scope of the civil works, Ozigi said the first phase would cover airside and landside infrastructure, including the runway, taxiways, aircraft parking apron, drainage, perimeter fencing and access roads.
He said the runway would be about 3,600 metres long, built to International Civil Aviation Organisation standards to accommodate wide-body aircraft, including Boeing 747.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Atuluku Levi, described the groundbreaking as the start of a new chapter in the state’s economic transformation, connectivity and sustainable development.
The Managing Director of CCECC, Henry Shuo, thanked the Kogi State Government, for the confidence reposed in the company and assured that it would deploy its experience and technical expertise to ensure successful completion.
Speaking for traditional rulers, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Anaje, expressed support for the project and reaffirmed the commitment of traditional institutions to development and the welfare of the people.
The ceremony was attended by top government officials, members of the legislature, traditional rulers, heads of institutions, political leaders and other stakeholders.
