Akwa Ibom State made aviation history on Saturday as the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo launched its first international flight, with Ibom Air flying passengers from Uyo to Accra, Ghana.
Keyamo calls it Nigeria’s only sub-national transit hub
The maiden flight carried Governor Umo Eno, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo (SAN), and several top government officials on board.
Speaking before takeoff, Keyamo said the facility stands alone among Nigerian airports at the state level — it is the only one that lets passengers switch smoothly between international and domestic flights under one roof.
“This is not just one of those airports, not just a terminal building, but a world-class transit hub with immense impact,” Keyamo said. “With this facility, passengers can transfer from international to international, domestic to international, and international to domestic. This kind of service does not exist in any sub-national anywhere in the country.”
He went on to say Akwa Ibom was steadily turning into Nigeria’s Dubai, pointing to the state’s rapid infrastructure push.
From Attah to Eno — a relay of leadership
Governor Eno credited his predecessors for laying the groundwork, while also thanking President Bola Tinubu for releasing funds to states that helped make projects like this possible.
“It was indeed a relay race of impactful leadership; from Obong Victor Attah, to Chief Godswill Akpabio, to Mr Udom Emmanuel, and to me. They have individually contributed their own quotas in an exceptional way for our common good,” Eno said.
The launch of international operations is expected to boost tourism, trade, and investment while creating jobs and deepening West African regional ties. The state-owned Ibom Air will run the Uyo-Accra route as its debut international service.
International flights at the airport were originally slated for the first quarter of 2026, before the date was pushed to May.
Sources: Punch, TheCable, Citizendiary
Something we should clarify?
Contact the newsroom
