With aviation industry regulators set to arrive in Lagos this week for a review and site inspection, the over ₦170 billion Lekki International Airport is on course to be delivered by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in Lagos State. The project is being handled by a Portuguese construction firm Mota-Engil Consortium, and is billed to take off shortly.
Last Monday’s visit to Alaro City underscores the governor’s vision for transforming Lagos into a hub for business, commerce, and innovation. The Lekki International Airport and other iconic infrastructural projects across the state are expected to play a crucial role in stimulating economic growth, driving tourism, commerce, and real estate development in the fast developing region of the state.
The governor restated his administration’s commitment to delivering key infrastructural projects across the state during a guided tour of Alaro City and the Universal One Development along the Lekki-Epe Expressway. He was accompanied by members of his cabinet and other top government officials.
In addition to the airport, Governor Sanwo-Olu has also restated plans to commence work on the Green Line Rail project, which will connect Marina in central Lagos to Lekki. This project, along with the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, Lekki regional road will further open up the axis for diverse investment and development.
The success of Alaro City, a public-private partnership, demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration between the government and private organizations. This partnership has attracted remarkable investments to Lagos, creating new job opportunities for residents, expats and local immigrants.
As Sanwo-Olu noted during the tour, the Lekki-Epe Expressway will continue to open up the region for investment, and the proposed Lekki Airport and Green Line Rail will be game-changers for the state. With these projects, Lagos is poised for unprecedented growth and development, cementing its position as Africa’s business hub.
He emphasised that these projects would drive future investments in Lagos. His tour included visits to four major companies within Alaro City—Ariel Foods, BUA, TY Danjuma Logistics Park, and Universal Homes.
The proposed airport, located 10 kilometers from the Lekki Free Trade Zone -which is an industrial city also includes the Dangote petroleum refinery, Lekki Deepsea Port among others – is initially set to open in 2028. It is designed to accommodate the Airbus A380, making it a Code F-compliant airport, spanning a 3,500-hectare site.
Sanwo-Olu revealed on X: ‘This groundbreaking initiative is an essential part of our vision to improve connectivity in Lagos, stimulate economic growth, and draw in global investments. We commend Alaro City for the extensive physical infrastructure laid down to attract businesses and investors. As a government, we have put in place infrastructure to receive investments in this corridor’.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for initiating the Lekki Free Zone over 20 years ago, saying, ‘I was privileged to be part of his team at that time. Since then, we’ve witnessed significant growth’.
On hand to receive the governor during the tour was the Chairman of Alaro City, Ayo Gbeleyi, who highlighted the Lekki Free Trade Zone as a prime investment hub due to the state government’s infrastructural development in the area.
Also, the Managing Director of Alaro City, Yomi Ademola praised the partnership between the state government and private investors, which has attracted remarkable investments and created job opportunities for young people.
He commended the Sanwo-Olu administration for delivering key projects, particularly in the Lekki axis, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the six-lane rigid pavement Lekki-Epe Expressway, the proposed Lekki International Airport, and the Green Line Rail.
The initiatives further underscores the imperative of public-private sector partnerships in driving economic transformation. Lagos under Sanwo-Olu has positioned for greater opportunities for an assured future.