By Nathaniel Irobi
The Federal Government and the Kogi State Government on Tuesday formally broke ground on the Kogi International Airport in Zariagi, with the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, declaring that the project will place the state on the global aviation map.
The historic flag-off ceremony was performed by Keyamo alongside the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, with members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, and other dignitaries in attendance.
Also present were the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, and the immediate past Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Edward David Onoja.
Speaking at the event, Governor Ododo described the airport as a strategic investment in the economic future of the state, noting its potential to unlock Kogi’s vast agricultural and solid mineral resources for local and international markets.
“This airport is not just infrastructure; it is a statement of our resolve to position Kogi State as a major contributor to Nigeria’s export economy,” the Governor said. “With improved connectivity, we will attract investors, stimulate commercial activities, and create employment opportunities for our people.”
He further highlighted the airport’s capacity to strengthen connectivity, attract new businesses, and accelerate the development of supporting infrastructure across the state.
In his remarks, Minister Keyamo described the flag-off as a historic milestone whose significance would endure for generations.
“What is happening here today, what the Governor has done today, will resonate many, many years, centuries after today, 500 years from today. Today, as from today, this village called Zariagi will be on the Global Aviation Map”, Keyamo declared.
The Minister explained that every recognised airport worldwide is identified through a global aviation coding system, noting that the establishment of the airport would give Zariagi international visibility within the aviation community through the relevant identification and coding processes of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Keyamo attributed the realisation of the project to the combination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies and Governor Ododo’s vision, saying the Federal Government’s reforms — particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, have increased allocations to subnational governments, providing states with greater fiscal capacity for critical infrastructure.
“However, it takes two to tango. One, the positive policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the vision of the Governor. These are the two things that combined to make this thing possible today,” he said.
Addressing critics who have questioned the rationale behind an international airport in Kogi State, the Minister argued that infrastructure development must sometimes precede the arrival of major investors.
“If you are waiting for the best international companies to be here, the best international hotels to be here before you put an airport, you wait for the next one million years, it will not come. It is the airport that attracts these developments. The airport is the precursor. The airport is the forerunner. The airport is the indicator of development,” Keyamo stated.
Following the addresses, the Minister and the Governor performed the foundation-laying ceremony, formally signalling the commencement of construction.
Kogi State is endowed with substantial solid mineral deposits, including iron ore, limestone, coal, marble, dolomite, feldspar, kaolin, gypsum and talc, as well as agricultural potential in cassava, rice, maize, cashew and palm oil, resources the airport is expected to help connect to wider markets.
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