The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has approved the commencement of scheduled flight operations at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan.
The approval was conveyed in a letter dated December 16, 2025, and addressed to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
According to the letter, the aviation regulator granted the airport a provisional interim operational permit to begin scheduled commercial flight operations.
The approval came on the back of extensive efforts by the Oyo State Government to upgrade the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Alakia, Ibadan, in line with its plan to transform the facility into an international airport.
The upgrade projects include the extension and widening of the runway, improvement of airfield lighting, construction of a 500,000-litre aviation fuel storage facility, and the building of a new Protocol Lounge, among other critical infrastructure.
According to the letter sighted by journalists, the NCAA said the decision was taken after it reviewed the updated status of safety-critical facilities, operational arrangements, and mitigation measures at the aerodrome.
The authority noted that the review followed recent developments at the airport and additional information provided by FAAN.
It also recalled that approval had earlier been granted for non-scheduled operations at the facility.
The letter read in part, “The Authority refers to its earlier correspondence Ref. No: NCAA/DAAS/TECH/008/VOL 1/173 dated 12th December, 2025, regarding the operational status of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport (SLAA), Ibadan, and the temporary approval granted for non-scheduled operations.
“Following recent developments at the aerodrome and the additional information provided by FAAN subsequent to the issuance of the above referenced letter, the Authority has reviewed the updated status of safety-critical facilities, operational arrangements, and mitigation measures currently in place.”
The NCAA added that the approval was granted in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.
“In view of the above, and pursuant to the provisions of Nig.CARs Part 12, Volume I (2023), I am directed to convey the Authority’s approval for the issuance of provisional interim operational permit for the commencement of scheduled flight operations at Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan,” the letter stated.
The authority, however, stressed that the provisional interim permit would be subject to strict compliance with salient work plan conditions, including the full operationalisation of emergency response arrangements at the airport.