Ibadan Airport Reopens With First Flight Ahead of Olubadan’s Coronation

The Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan recorded a historic moment on Wednesday as it welcomed its first aircraft since being shut down in March 2025 for a major upgrade to international standards.

The aircraft, identified as an advance member of the presidency fleet, touched down at exactly 9:14 a.m. amid cheers from onlookers and airport staff who had gathered to witness the landmark event.

The reopening comes just two days before the much-anticipated coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, scheduled for Friday, September 26, 2025.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to attend the ceremony, with his official flight set to arrive at the airport.

The successful landing is seen as a strong indication of the airport’s enhanced capacity to handle high-profile flights safely and efficiently, following months of extensive work to upgrade its facilities.

Officials at the airport expressed optimism that the development would not only facilitate smooth travel for dignitaries attending the coronation but also mark the beginning of a new era for air transport in Ibadan.

The inaugural flight signals the airport’s readiness for future operations and strengthens hopes that the facility will soon become a hub for both domestic and international travel.