Ododo Flags Off Kogi Airport Project, Hands Contract to CCECC, Gamji

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has formally launched the construction phase of the proposed Zariagi International Airport, handing over the project to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and Gamji Nigeria Limited.
The ceremony, held at the Government House in Lokoja, signals a decisive move by the Kogi State government to push forward a project long seen as critical to the state’s economic ambitions.
Describing the airport as a cornerstone of his administration’s development agenda, Ododo said the project is designed to reposition Kogi as a gateway for commerce, investment, and mobility. He assured the contractors of government backing, noting that due process guided their selection.
The governor also acknowledged the role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in approving the initiative, emphasizing that the project aligns with broader federal efforts to expand Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure.
According to him, the airport is strategically conceived to complement the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, offering an alternative hub that could ease pressure on Abuja while opening up Kogi to greater economic activity.
Ododo stressed that the state’s central geographic position makes it a natural transit point between Nigeria’s north and south, adding that the airport would unlock value across agriculture, mining, and trade, while creating employment opportunities.
Commissioner for Transportation, Victor Atuluku, said groundwork for the project had been laid during the 2025 fiscal year, with detailed planning and design already completed.
He outlined that CCECC will oversee the construction of the runway and terminal infrastructure, while Gamji Nigeria Limited will handle the perimeter security framework.
The airport, he revealed, will feature a 3.6-kilometre runway capable of handling wide-body and cargo aircraft, and will occupy roughly 4,000 hectares with expansion capacity. It is projected to process about 250,000 passengers annually and will include dedicated cargo facilities to support logistics and trade.
Representatives of the contracting firms pledged to deliver on schedule and in line with international standards, expressing confidence in the project’s potential to transform Kogi into a regional aviation and logistics hub.