FUNSHO AROGUNDADE
Construction on the Lekki-Epe International Airport is officially scheduled to begin in 2027, according to an announcement made by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Designed to ease congestion at Murtala Muhammed International Airport and anchor the rapidly growing Lekki-Epe industrial corridor, the mega-project will serve both passenger and cargo traffic.
According to the Governor, the proposed airport is positioned as a strategic infrastructure project that will unlock the economic potential of the Lekki-Epe axis, home to the Lekki Deep Seaport, the Dangote Refinery, the Lekki Free Trade Zone and a fast-growing population of residents and businesses.
He added that once completed, the airport is expected to reduce pressure on Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, shorten travel time for residents and investors in the Lekki corridor, and position Lagos as a regional aviation and logistics hub.
“For decades, Murtala Muhammed International Airport has served as the sole international gateway for Nigeria’s commercial capital. With Lagos’ population now estimated at over 20 million and growing daily, the pressure on the existing airport has continued to mount. The Lekki-Epe International Airport is designed to change that story,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Key project specifications of the airport revealed that it will be built on a secured 3,500-hectare site along the Lekki-Epe axis.
The initial phase is designed to handle a minimum of 5 million passengers annually, with room for future expansion as demand grows.
The first phase of the infrastructure development is projected to cost around $900 million. It has been structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) involving both local and foreign investors.
The PPP model, according to the state government, will ensure efficiency, international standards, and sustainable financing without placing the full burden on public funds.
Following completed feasibility studies, master planning, and federal government regulatory approval, physical construction is slated to kick off in 2027.
The Lagos State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the international construction firm, Summa Group to develop and build the facility.
Summa Group is an international construction and investment firm with experience in large-scale infrastructure projects across Africa and beyond.
Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat confirmed that preliminary documentation, land acquisition, and foundational groundwork have already been advanced ahead of the 2027 start date.
For residents of Lekki, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki and surrounding communities, the airport promises jobs during construction and operation, improved road infrastructure, increased commercial activity, and easier access to domestic and international travel.
For businesses, especially those in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the Dangote Refinery corridor, and the Lekki Deep Seaport, the airport will provide a seamless cargo and logistics link, cutting the cost and time of moving goods and personnel.
For the state government, it is another pillar in its long-term plan to build a 21st-century economy driven by transport, trade, tourism and industrial growth.