The Federal Government has officially canceled the N64 billion Osun State International Airport project in Ede, following a request from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
The cancellation comes ahead of the planned foundation-laying ceremony for the airport, which was scheduled by Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, for December 13, 2024.
In a letter dated December 6, 2024, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development requested that the state government postpone the ceremony until ongoing disputes surrounding the project are resolved. The decision follows tensions surrounding the relocation of the airport site from Ido-Osun to Ede, Adeleke’s hometown, a move that has sparked controversy within the region.
The state government’s committee explained that the original site in Ido-Osun failed to meet essential aviation requirements, prompting the shift to Ede. However, this has caused friction with residents of Ido-Osun, who have vocally opposed the relocation. Earlier this week, protests erupted from the community, with many calling for the original site to be developed as planned.
The airport project, which had been revived in October 2017 under the administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, was initially budgeted at N69 billion. During Aregbesola’s tenure, approximately N12 billion of Osun indigenes’ funds were spent on the project, which had faced financial constraints and the eventual decision for a public-private partnership. Despite this, the project has continued to face setbacks and controversy.
In its letter, the Ministry of Aviation highlighted that the airstrip, which is part of the project, is a federal initiative included in the 2024 federal budget. The ministry also expressed concerns over the ongoing petitions regarding the relocation and the previous approval for the airport to be situated at a different location.
These petitions have prompted the government to halt further development and align the project with federal objectives.
The letter also stressed the need to avoid wasteful spending of public funds, noting that the project should proceed in coordination with the federal government. It urged Governor Adeleke to reschedule the foundation-laying ceremony until these issues are resolved.
Speaking on the matter, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation stated that the decision to halt the airport construction followed petitions pointing out that the previous state government had received approval to site the airport at a different location. “There cannot be two approvals for the same project,” the spokesperson added, acknowledging that while the ministry was involved in the project, certain oversights had occurred, leading to the current situation.
At the time of reporting, attempts to reach Osun State’s Chief Press Secretary, Olawale Rasheed, for comment were unsuccessful.
