The Federal Government has announced the completion of repair works on the runway of Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, which will officially reopen on Monday, April 28, 2025. The reopening comes ahead of the initially scheduled date of May 6, marking a significant milestone in the effort to modernize Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made the announcement on Sunday, expressing satisfaction with the pace of the repair works. In a statement posted on his social media account, Keyamo emphasized that the project was completed well ahead of the deadline, highlighting the hard work put in by the team involved in the repairs.
“Dear compatriots, we worked extra hard to meet the deadline we gave on the repair of the runway of Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu and finished way ahead of the scheduled date. It will now be open for use as from tomorrow (the 28th of April, 2025),” Keyamo stated.
The airport had been temporarily closed for repairs on April 19, 2025, as part of necessary maintenance work on the runway. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) initially announced the closure, citing a significant rupture in the asphalt surface at a critical section of the runway that required immediate attention. As a result, the runway was temporarily shut to ensure passenger safety and comply with Nigerian civil aviation regulations.
In its announcement, FAAN confirmed that emergency repairs would be conducted from April 22 to May 6, 2025, with the airport remaining closed during this period for take-offs and landings. The runway closure had raised concerns among passengers and airlines, but the early completion of repairs has alleviated these worries, allowing air travel to resume ahead of schedule.
“Due to a sudden rupture in the asphalt surface at a critical section of the runway, emergency repairs were deemed necessary. As part of our commitment to safety and the modernization of the airport’s infrastructure, we closed the runway for this essential work,” FAAN said in its statement.
The repair works at Akanu Ibiam International Airport were part of ongoing efforts to upgrade and modernize Nigeria’s airport facilities. The Minister of Aviation emphasized the importance of such projects in ensuring that airports across the country are safe, functional, and equipped to meet international standards.
With Enugu being an important regional hub, the repair of the runway was crucial in maintaining the airport’s operational capacity. Prior to the closure, the airport had been experiencing an increase in flight traffic, making the maintenance work an urgent priority to avoid potential safety hazards.
The quick completion of the repairs has been met with praise from stakeholders, including airlines and passengers who had been concerned about the temporary disruption to travel plans. The early reopening of the runway is seen as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s aviation sector.
“We are pleased that the repair work was completed ahead of schedule, and we appreciate the cooperation of the flying public during this period,” said a representative from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
The reopening of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport comes at a time when Nigeria has been working to improve the safety and efficiency of its aviation infrastructure. The government’s efforts to address issues such as outdated facilities and inadequate safety measures have been ongoing, with projects like the Enugu airport repairs forming part of broader plans to modernize the country’s airports.
The repair works at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport were essential not only for the safety of passengers but also for the continued growth of the aviation industry in the region. With the completion of the runway repairs, the airport is now able to accommodate more flights, which is expected to contribute to the local economy by improving connectivity and attracting more business and tourism to Enugu State.
Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has expressed his support for the repair works and praised the Federal Government for prioritizing the safety of air travel. Ugwuanyi noted that the completion of the repairs would provide a significant boost to the state’s aviation sector, benefiting both residents and travelers alike.
The Federal Government has made it clear that the reopening of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport is just the beginning of ongoing efforts to upgrade and modernize airport facilities across Nigeria. In addition to repairing existing runways, the government has been working on expanding terminals and improving passenger services to meet the growing demand for air travel in the country.
With the completion of the runway repairs ahead of schedule, the Nigerian government has demonstrated its ability to meet deadlines and deliver on key infrastructure projects, despite the challenges faced during the repairs. The successful reopening of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport is a positive step forward in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to improve its aviation infrastructure.
