Kogi Airport Project Officially Handed Over to Contractors

By Iyojo Ameh

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has formally handed over the Zariagi International Airport project to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Gamji Nigeria Limited.

The brief ceremony, held on Wednesday at the Government House in Lokoja, drew key stakeholders and international partners.
Governor Ododo described the airport as a “legacy initiative” aimed at boosting economic development and enhancing regional connectivity.

He noted that the contractors were selected following a competitive procurement process and assured them of the state government’s full support to deliver a world-class aviation facility.

The governor also expressed gratitude to Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government for approving the project. Highlighting Kogi’s historical significance in Nigeria’s aviation history, he said the state had hosted some of the earliest aircraft landings, making the absence of a functional airport a long-standing gap.

He stated that the airport would serve as a strategic alternative to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, easing congestion and improving access for travelers and investors.

Kogi’s central location linking northern and southern Nigeria, as well as key commercial hubs, further strengthens its suitability for a major aviation facility.

Governor Ododo emphasized that the project would create economic opportunities in agriculture, solid minerals, and trade while generating employment across the state.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Victor Atuluku, said the airport project went through extensive planning and design during the 2025 fiscal year. He explained that the development would include landside infrastructure, a terminal building, and airside facilities.

Atuluku added that China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation would manage the technical aspects, including the runway and terminal, while Gamji Nigeria Limited would oversee perimeter fencing.

The airport will feature a 3.6-kilometre runway capable of handling large aircraft, including cargo planes, and occupy around 4,000 hectares with provisions for future expansion. It will also have dedicated cargo facilities, targeting about 250,000 passengers annually.

Representatives of the contractors, Jun Don Pin of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Salau Mutalib of Gamji Nigeria Limited, pledged to deliver the project according to international standards, promising quality, timely execution, and strict adherence to specifications.