UYO – Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has declared that the attainment of international status by the Victor Attah International Airport will usher in tremendous economic transformation for Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, and Gulf of Guinea.
The Governor was speaking at a press briefing on his arrival from the demonstration international flight from Accra, Ghana’s capital, describing the development as a strategic breakthrough capable of unlocking tourism, trade, and regional connectivity.
According to him, the airport’s upgrade eliminates the long-standing challenges of routing passengers through foreign hubs before accessing neighbouring West African countries.
“Through Akwa Ibom, we can now travel directly within the sub-region without overflying Nigeria,” he said, noting that the development will fast-track business and diplomatic engagements.
Governor Eno projected that Uyo could replicate the success of Kigali as a conference and tourism destination, citing the state’s emerging infrastructure, including a world-class international conference centre.
He added that the international status of the airport would attract global events and significantly increase visitor inflow.
Beyond passenger traffic, the Governor disclosed plans to establish a cargo terminal and trading corridor, positioning the state as a logistics and export hub for the Gulf of Guinea.
He emphasized that the benefits would extend beyond Akwa Ibom to the national and neighbouring countries adding that,
in a bid to strengthen the aviation sector, Ministry of Aviation and Airport Development was created, with Engr. Uwem Ekanem appointed Senior Special Adviser to oversee its affairs pending the appointment of a substantive commissioner.
Governor Eno expressed gratitude to Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the airport’s international designation, and commended Festus Keyamo for his role in coordinating aviation stakeholders and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Governor Eno also paid tribute to past leaders including; Obong Victor Attah, Godswill Akpabio, and Udom Emmanuel, for laying the foundation that culminated in the airport’s present status.
Highlighting future expansion, he disclosed that Ibom Air will grow its fleet to ten aircraft with the arrival of an additional Airbus, while the state intensifies investment in human capacity development.
So far, 20 pilots have been trained in Paris, with more cadet pilots and engineers undergoing training in Ethiopia and Zaria, the Governor stated revealing over ten major aviation projects underway including; a second runway, apron expansion, aviation village, advanced security systems, and support infrastructure to meet global standards.
He stressed that the maiden international flight was not symbolic but a validation of the airport’s readiness, to commencement of full commercial international operations after completion of regulatory procedures.
Looking ahead, Governor Eno said the state is aligning its aviation gains with broader tourism assets such as the ARISE Palm Resort, the Mary Slessor House, and other heritage sites, positioning Akwa Ibom as a destination ready to welcome the world.
While commending stakeholders across government and the aviation industry, Governor Eno noted that, the internationalization of Victor Attah International Airport marks a defining moment in the state’s economic evolution.
