Femi Ogbonnikan
Gateway International Airport (GIA) is on the verge of making history. The Nigerian aviation authorities, in collaboration with the Ogun State government, are working tirelessly to ensure a smooth maiden airlift of pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj in Saudi Arabia. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have already inspected and designated the airport as one of the 17 approved departure centres for the 2026 Hajj.
This milestone marks a significant development in Ogun State’s aviation infrastructure, positioning the airport as a key player in the region’s logistics and commerce. Approximately 500 pilgrims from Ogun State are expected to depart through the airport for this year’s pilgrimage.
Accordingly, the Ogun State government has been holding high-level strategic meetings with agencies like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Police Force (NOF), Amotekun Corps, Fire Service, Department of State Services (DSS), Port Health Services, and officials of the Federal Ministry of Health to fine-tune passenger processing and security architecture.
For safety assurance, the security agencies pledged to work with the state government to ensure smooth Hajj operations at the Airport.
The commitment was made on Monday during a strategic security meeting between representatives of the state government and the key security agencies.
Speaking at the meeting, the Ogun State Commissioner for Transportation, Engr Gbenga Dairo, said the airport possesses the required infrastructure, facilities and management capacity to handle Hajj operations. According to him, the airport forms a key component of the state government’s economic development agenda and has positioned Ogun State prominently on the global aviation map.
Dairo affirmed that the airport is fully prepared for Hajj operations, noting that the NCAA had already certified the facility for domestic commercial flights after granting all necessary approvals.
“The intention is for Hajj operations to take place at Gateway International Airport this year. Representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, the Department of State Services and the NCAA are here to outline the minimum requirements for a successful operation and assess the facilities available at the airport,” he said.
He added that the agencies had expressed satisfaction with the infrastructure and management capacity in place to support the operations. “We have assured them that the state government is ready to provide everything required to ensure seamless operations for pilgrims and for the benefit of the state and the country,” he stated.
The commissioner further disclosed that a temporary camp would be established to process about 500 pilgrims expected to depart from the airport for the pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
The Consultant to the Gateway International Airport, Dapo Olumide, said the airport, which has already commenced commercial flight operations, is equipped with modern facilities capable of handling different categories of aircraft.
He stated that security agencies would advise the state government on additional measures required to ensure successful Hajj operations, particularly as the NCAA has fully licensed the airport for such activities.
Uyiekpen Asuen, who represented the NCAA, confirmed that the airport had met the required operational standards, having received the necessary permits to commence commercial flights. He added that the facility is among the 17 airports across the country designated for Hajj operations.
While the airport successfully commenced domestic passenger flights in October 2025 and cargo operations in early 2026, this Hajj exercise serves as its international debut for passenger services.
By moving these operations to Iperu, the state is effectively reducing the pressure on Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, in Lagos and providing a more hitch-free experience for pilgrims from the South-West.
With the approval of hajj operations, the airport is being positioned as a functional hub, meaning it isn’t just a vanity project; it is actively integrating religious tourism (Hajj) with its primary role as a cargo and logistics centre. NCAA has reaffirmed that the airport possesses all required infrastructure and management capacity to ensure the exercise is a success.
For the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun, whose vision and commitment accounted for this significant milestone, the shift from cargo to hajj operations is a dream come true. The administration’s vision is to provide a well-modeled multi-modal transport system for the State. Indeed, a clear vision is the foundational element that nurtures, guides, and fuels the pursuit of big dreams. Dreaming big requires you to be prepared for challenges and think beyond your current limitations. Today, the Airport is the legacy project of the administration. And it is not just another airport, it’s a benchmark Airport. A game changer. Among other distinguishing features, its state-of-the-art facilities have been adjudged to be world-class by the combined team of the regulatory authorities, including the NCAA, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
They unanimously concluded that the infrastructure at the airport, including the Control Tower, Weather Monitoring Areas, Runway, Fire Service Stations, and the Apron, could rival any of their type around the world.
Other than that, the airport has a 4-kilometre (4,000-metre) long and 60-metre-wide runway, which is one of the longest and widest in West Africa. This design allows it to accommodate wide-body and ultra-long-haul aircraft, including a Boeing 777 and even an Airbus A380.
Additionally, the runway is equipped with a sophisticated and solar-powered lighting system, including Category I approach lighting, elevated runway end lights, and Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI). It also has a Doppler VOR/DME navigation system, which is considered more precise than those at many other airports in Nigeria.
The airport equally features a five-story, 36-metre-tall air traffic control tower equipped with state-of-the-art aviation control systems, including ADS-B transponders and fully calibrated ground-to-air communication systems. The building itself has a dedicated, uninterruptible power supply, with backup inverters to ensure continuous operations.
Its terminal building is not only designed for both domestic and international processing, the apron, which is built on 82,000 square metres, also has the capacity to park up to 20 aircraft at once. The lighting system on the apron is noted for being advanced, with a winch-based system that allows for easy maintenance.
The entire airport is surrounded by a 12-kilometre perimeter fence, which is a key security feature. Above all, its communication system is built on a high-speed fibre-optic network, with a satellite-based backup (Starlink) to ensure seamless internet connectivity.
Strategically located near the nation’s commercial nerve centre, the airport will serve as a designated alternative airport to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, helping to ease congestion and provide a diversion point for Lagos-bound flights.
The expected economic benefits of the Airport’s participation in Hajj operations for the local communities are enormously huge.
When an airport starts Hajj operations, it’s not just about the spiritual journey; it’s a massive economic shot in the arm for the surrounding communities like Iperu, Ikenne, and Sagamu. With about 500 pilgrims expected for the maiden airlift from Ogun, there is going to be a surge in local demand for essential items like food, clothing etcetera. Local vendors see increased sales of Hajj essentials—white Ihram garments, travel bags, toiletries, and mats.
For food and catering, the state has already moved to establish a Hajj camp at the airport. This requires large-scale catering services, often sourced from local food contractors and artisans.
Before the flight, many pilgrims and their families stay in local hotels or guest houses. This pre-departure stay provides a direct boost to the local hospitality sector.
Additionally, infrastructure and real estate value appreciate. The designation of the airport as a Hajj hub-one of only 17 in Nigeria- changes the land value overnight. Areas surrounding the airport in the Iperu-Remo axis have seen a steady rise in land value as developers look to build warehouses, logistics parks, and transit lodging.
To support international flights, the government prioritizes road networks and power stability in the immediate area, which benefits local residents and businesses.
Hajj operation is a massive logistical puzzle that requires boots on the ground. For aviation support, new roles are created in ground handling, luggage management, and airport security.
Local transport unions-taxis, shuttle buses-experience a spike in patronage from the families of pilgrims who travel from across the South-West to see their loved ones off.
The most interesting part about this airport is its Agro focus. Hajj flights often involve excess cargo carriers. The goal is for these aircrafts to not just bring pilgrims back with Zamzam water and gifts, but to potentially carry out Ogun State’s agricultural produce on return legs, connecting local farmers directly to global markets.
By bypassing Lagos (MMIA), Ogun State keeps the service fees and tax revenues within its own borders. It’s estimated that the airport project as a whole could create over 25,000 jobs, and the Hajj operation is the first major test of that passenger-driven economic engine.
For the 2026 Hajj season, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has officially designated four primary airlines to handle the airlift of pilgrims across the country.
While the Gateway International Airport is a newly approved departure centre, it will be serviced by the carriers assigned to the South-West region and the specific contracts signed in February 2026.
As a major Nigerian carrier with a strong presence in the South-West and the first to conduct passenger tests at Gateway, Air Peace is a primary candidate for the Ogun State airlift.
The Ogun State government, led by Aviation Consultant Capt. Dapo Olumide, is currently holding strategic meetings with the licensed carriers to verify that their wide-body aircraft required for international Hajj hauls are fully compatible with the Gateway runway and passenger processing systems. By the national schedule, airlift operations are expected to commence on May 13.
Ogbonnikan is a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Ogun State Governor on Media
