The Osun State Government has justified its decision to relocate the state’s airport project from Ido-Osun to Ede, emphasizing compliance with international aviation standards and the need to address technical deficiencies at the original site.
Speaking in Osogbo on Wednesday, Otunba Lai Oriowo, a member of the Osun Airport Technical Committee, outlined the findings that led to the move.
He disclosed that N5.09 million was paid to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency for wind and daily analysis, while N30 million was spent on the airport design.
The Ido-Osun site posed numerous challenges. The perimeter survey revealed a total area of 387.18 hectares, with a runway measuring only 1.67 kilometers—well below the 4.8-kilometer minimum required for standard airports. For class 4E aircraft, the runway needed to be 3.6 kilometers long and include additional safety areas, totaling 5.1 kilometers, far exceeding the site’s capacity of 3.25 kilometers.
Other issues included: proximity to Adeleke Secondary School and nearby settlements, necessitating costly relocations and insufficient culvert width of 65 meters, compared to the required 150 meters.
Also, misaligned infrastructure, such as the terminal building and control tower and inadequate land for proper Runway End Safety Area (RESA) compliance.
“These findings made the Ido-Osun site unsuitable for a full-fledged airport,” Oriowo explained. However, he noted that the site would be repurposed as an Air Force training school under an agreement with the state government.
The relocation to Akoda in Ede offers significant benefits. Aviation experts who assessed the site in May 2024 recommended the move based on its suitability. The Akoda site covers 1,922.11 hectares, allowing for the construction of a 5.6-kilometer runway that meets international standards.
“The new location ensures compliance with aviation regulations and addresses the technical shortcomings of the old site,” Oriowo stated, reiterating the government’s focus on building a world-class airport.
Oriowo highlighted that the decision followed thorough assessments by professionals from various aviation fields and emphasized that it was not politically motivated.
The Osun State Government remains committed to creating an airport that meets national and international aviation requirements, ensuring the project’s success while addressing safety and technical standards.
