Edo State has taken a significant step towards establishing its own airline, with Governor Monday Okpebholo signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Express Airline Co. Ltd and KDN Aero.
The agreement was executed on Wednesday at the Government House in Benin City, following a presentation by the Chinese airline’s President, Shansheng Li, on the company’s operational capacity.
Governor Okpebholo, who described the MoU as the foundation of a lasting partnership, expressed confidence that the state-owned carrier would commence operations in the near future.
“We have signed the MoU, and this is the first part of it. We will continue to build on it,” the governor said.
“A presentation was made, which was very beautiful and wonderful. We have seen your capability, and we are ready to do business with you. By the grace of God, Edo Air will be in the airspace very soon. So, we are in partnership with you.”
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq., disclosed that the agreement was the outcome of a fact-finding mission to China undertaken by a seven-man delegation on September 14, 2026, at the governor’s instance.
According to him, the delegation was constituted to identify and engage potential technical and operational partners for the proposed airline.
Ikhilor led the team, which included the Head of Service, Dr Anthony Okungbowa; the Accountant-General, Julius Anelu; and the Chief Aviation Consultant to the Edo State Government, Captain Nuhu Musa, alongside other government officials and aviation experts.
During the visit, the delegation held talks with China Express Airline and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the country’s leading aircraft manufacturer, to evaluate their capabilities and explore areas of collaboration.
The SSG noted that China Express Airline made the stronger impression on the delegation. At the airline’s headquarters, the team inspected its flight-monitoring operations, where a giant screen tracks flights across China — with 192 flights already logged by 10 a.m. on the day of the visit.
Ikhilor said the facilities inspected and the discussions held with the airline’s management convinced the delegation that China Express was a suitable technical and operational partner for Edo Air.
He expressed optimism that the MoU and subsequent engagements would pave the way for concrete steps towards actualising the governor’s vision of an Edo-owned airline.
At the ceremony, Li presented a model aircraft to the governor, while the Managing Director of KDN Aero, Tianzhi Chen, who spoke on behalf of the Chinese delegation, gave an overview of the airline’s operations and capabilities.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; the SSG, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq.; the Head of Service, Dr Anthony Okungbowa; the Chief of Staff, Hon. Yakubu Musa, JP; the Commissioner for Finance, Engr. Emmanuel Okoebor; and other government officials.
Before the China trip and Wednesday’s MoU signing, Governor Okpebholo had met with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, in Abuja on Thursday, January 22, 2026, to advance plans for the proposed Edo Air initiative.
The meeting focused on strengthening Edo State’s aviation sector through improved air connectivity, increased investment opportunities, and economic growth.
Okpebholo led a delegation of top government officials to the meeting, where both leaders held extensive discussions on the future of aviation in Nigeria, with a strong focus on advancing Edo State’s aviation sector.
At that meeting, the governor disclosed that the state government had begun exploring partnership options, including discussions with South African investors who had indicated readiness to provide aircraft for the commencement of operations.
He stressed the urgency of establishing a home-grown airline to operate from Benin Airport, describing aviation as a critical driver for Edo State’s economic revival, investment inflow, and job creation.
“If I have my way, I want this airline to take off immediately, even as early as tomorrow. Edo State needs a strong aviation presence to open up our economy and reposition Benin as a major commercial hub,” Okpebholo said at the time.
In response, Minister Keyamo described the initiative as timely and forward-looking, recalling Benin Airport’s historical role as a major aviation hub during the era of the defunct Okada Air. He announced the establishment of a technical committee to drive coordination between the Federal Government and Edo State, requesting the governor to nominate a liaison officer to work directly with the Director of Air Transport Management at the ministry.
“This committee will report to both of us on a weekly basis. With proper collaboration, Benin Airport should be fully operational between the first and second quarters of this year,” Keyamo stated.
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