Abiodun partners Allied Air, SAHCOL to position Iperu facility as Southwest logistics powerhouse….
The Ogun State Government has announced that commercial cargo flight operations will soon begin at the Gateway International Airport in Iperu, marking a new phase in the state’s aviation and economic expansion strategy.
Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed the development in a statement shared on X on Friday, describing it as a significant milestone in the state’s drive to strengthen infrastructure and unlock new economic opportunities.
The cargo launch follows the successful commencement of passenger flight operations at the airport on October 7, 2025, a move the governor said demonstrated the administration’s resolve to make the facility fully operational and economically viable.
“With the launch of cargo services in partnership with Allied Air and SAHCOL, we are positioning the airport as a strategic logistics hub that will strengthen trade, regional connectivity, and supply chains within Nigeria and beyond,” Abiodun stated.
According to the governor, the airport’s infrastructure quality has already drawn commendation from major industry players. He revealed that Sifax Group and other aviation and logistics stakeholders have expressed strong interest in leveraging the facility for cargo operations.
The facility, he noted, is particularly suited to boosting agricultural exports from Ogun State and the broader Southwest region, offering farmers and manufacturers a more direct route to both domestic and international markets.
Abiodun said the state government is encouraged by the confidence shown by operators and investors who view Ogun as strategically positioned due to its proximity to Lagos, its business-friendly policies, and a deliberate focus on functionality in infrastructure development.
Beyond aviation growth, the governor projected wide-ranging economic benefits from the commencement of cargo services. He said the expansion is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, strengthen agribusiness and manufacturing logistics, reduce post-harvest losses, attract fresh investments, and expand internally generated revenue.
“With this step, we are transforming Iperu into a major regional logistics centre while easing pressure on existing cargo routes across Nigeria,” he said.
The Gateway International Airport project, which began in 2021, is a flagship component of the administration’s broader transport master plan aimed at modernising Ogun’s connectivity network and positioning the state as a critical commercial gateway in the Southwest.
With passenger flights already operational and cargo services now set for rollout, the Iperu airport appears poised to evolve from an ambitious infrastructure project into a key driver of regional trade and economic integration.
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