₦airaland Forum

Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on National Assembly Matters, has extended his profound and heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, on the successful inaugural commencement of commercial flight operations at the Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Airport.

This momentous occasion, according to the SSA, is a testimony to visionary leadership and the power of continuity in governance. Hon. Olarewaju revealed that aviation experts and reputable business tycoons who have already utilized the state-of-the-art facility have unanimously confirmed that the airport is indeed of world-class standard, affirming its robustness and operational excellence. This pivotal infrastructure is set to fundamentally reshape the state's economic landscape, opening Ekiti to unprecedented opportunities in business, investment, tourism, and hospitality. Its strategic importance is further heightened by its proximity to notable academic institutions like Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), the Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti, the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State University (EKSU), and the emerging Ekiti Knowledge Zone in Ado-Ekiti, establishing the state as a prime hub for medical tourism and academic excellence.

The Senior Special Assistant expressed immense gratitude to the President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his consistent and unwavering support for Ekiti State in all its developmental activities, specifically highlighting his critical support for Governor Oyebanji's administration and the completion of the airport project. He also took time to congratulate the Former Governors whose initial steps birthed this lofty dream, giving special commendation to His Excellency, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, for the bold and decisive steps he took to advance the project. The SSA also recognized and commended Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, for his immense and notable contributions towards making the airport a reality. Concluding his statement, Hon. Olarewaju offered a robust congratulations to all Ekiti people, emphasizing that the airport is a spectacular product of continuity and collective progress. He charged the people to continue to lend their invaluable support to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji until 2030, ensuring stability and allowing the Governor to consolidate on the current successes and realize the other greater projects that are set to transform the State.

treasurenat:
First to comment since 2012 .,I have been on Nairaland.Bro Seun, I deserve something. So after 13years I can be the first to comment 🤣🤣🤣.May God give us long life and prosperity in Jesus name.

AngelGabbyShara:
Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju Hails Inauguration of Commercial Flights at Ekiti Agro-Allied International Airport

Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on National Assembly Matters, has extended his profound and heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, on the successful inaugural commencement of commercial flight operations at the Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Airport.

This momentous occasion, according to the SSA, is a testimony to visionary leadership and the power of continuity in governance. Hon. Olarewaju revealed that aviation experts and reputable business tycoons who have already utilized the state-of-the-art facility have unanimously confirmed that the airport is indeed of world-class standard, affirming its robustness and operational excellence. This pivotal infrastructure is set to fundamentally reshape the state's economic landscape, opening Ekiti to unprecedented opportunities in business, investment, tourism, and hospitality. Its strategic importance is further heightened by its proximity to notable academic institutions like Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), the Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti, the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State University (EKSU), and the emerging Ekiti Knowledge Zone in Ado-Ekiti, establishing the state as a prime hub for medical tourism and academic excellence.

The Senior Special Assistant expressed immense gratitude to the President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his consistent and unwavering support for Ekiti State in all its developmental activities, specifically highlighting his critical support for Governor Oyebanji's administration and the completion of the airport project. He also took time to congratulate the Former Governors whose initial steps birthed this lofty dream, giving special commendation to His Excellency, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, for the bold and decisive steps he took to advance the project. The SSA also recognized and commended Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, for his immense and notable contributions towards making the airport a reality. Concluding his statement, Hon. Olarewaju offered a robust congratulations to all Ekiti people, emphasizing that the airport is a spectacular product of continuity and collective progress. He charged the people to continue to lend their invaluable support to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji until 2030, ensuring stability and allowing the Governor to consolidate on the current successes and realize the other greater projects that are set to transform the State.
https://osharanewsnetwork..com/2025/12/hon-ibrahim-kunle-olarewaju-hails.html

AlphaTaikun:
Congratulations to the folks of Ekiti State and Nigeria on the FIRST EVER commercial flight into Ekiti State on December 10, 2025. I partly followed the event via livestream and YouTube as the United Nigeria aircraft arrived the well-designed Ekiti International Cargo Airport terminal building.

Kudos to Ogun State as well on the inauguration of the new Gate International Cargo Airport Iperu-Remo. The U.S.-educated Engineer, Abayomi Ogundeyin, has his Pro Force Defence Industries Ltd located in Iperu-Remo hence that airport would further aid industrialization since Ogun State already has the largest number of industries in Nigeria ahead of Lagos State.

Those who are making jest of Ekiti State (on NL and elsewhere) calling this an unviable airport project are indeed clueless about a lot of opportunities in that State, which I'm aware has a huge Diaspora population living around the major population centers of the world with disposable income as business moguls and multimillionaires, professionals in various fields of human endeavor.

Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort was voted for 2 years in a row as the BEST resort in Nigeria ahead of resorts in Lagos State so that says a lot about the tourism potentials of Ekiti State. More indigenes of Ekiti State and others would fly in more via Lagos, Abuja, or PH for investment purposes in agribusiness and more instead of enduring several hours of road trips.

It's a FACT that people in several countries of the world who have huge Diaspora populations like the Ekitis (who are a subgroup of the larger Yoruba folks) tend to achieve more and this airport and the new education and innovation hubs centered around Age Babalola University and other Universities coming up would trigger the formation of more partnerships between the academia and industries in that state. If you can conceive it, you can achieve it.

I did a SWOT analysis on some States in Nigeria from the 1990s and updated these stats over the years and the human and material resources in Ekiti State would definitely grow exponentially especially if value addition from agribusiness products and a strong tech-based hub are firmly rooted in the state for eventual local consumption and export. A rail link from Osogbo to Ado-Ekiti is ALSO important tomlink up directly with Lagos Ports.

lawani:
I believe the government should have invested any excess money into various companies. Ekiti does not have the population and industry to support a busy airport. The Dangote refinery IPO is coming up and we will see what they will do for their people

AlphaTaikun:
@lawani

I agree with you about government investments of excess money into various companies, BUT remember that population is fast growing in Ekiti and Nigeria, an to beat inflation and increase in cost of construction that Cargo Airport was needed right away. The Naira multibillionaire and legal luminary, Aare Afe Babalola ALSO donated millions of his own personal money into the Ekiti International Cargo Airport construction. I will list the current companies Ekiti State has investments in which includes a Dairy Farm done in partnership with Promasidor.

Milk Day Celebration: Ikun Dairy Farm Hosts Milk Day In Ekiti State

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2Qd3YURFJ0?si=_QmgKGRZ5mvmESUj


Ikun Dairy Farm & Promasidor Nigeria- A progressive partnership.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OurCBEF2o_k



BUT just as I stated in my post that you quoted, Ekitis (even Ijesa folks of Osun State for instance) have a huge Diaspora who are wealthy and business savvy and they can NOW start visiting their homeland to take part in massive investments from around the world. Prince Julius Adelusi of Juli Pharmacy is just one of those multimillionaires of Ekiti descent who's based in Lagos State. There are more folks based in Ibadan, PH, the United States, the United Kingdom, etc. I have studied business trends and demographic distributions for years now. It's a well-known FACT that ethnic groups who have a huge Diaspora population tend to be successful.



RIGHT BELOW are some of the companies Ekiti State has Investments in:

The Ekiti State government has established, revitalized, or holds equity in several companies to drive economic development, particularly in agriculture, infrastructure, and utilities. Key companies and initiatives include:

Fountain Holdings Limited: The state's primary investment holding company, which manages a portfolio of investments and is being repositioned to generate revenue.

Ilu Eye Agro-Trading & Aggregation Company Ltd: Established by the state government to buy back produce, stabilize food prices, and support agriculture.

Ikun Dairy Farm: A joint venture company between the Ekiti State government and Promasidor Nigeria Limited, which was revitalized to produce milk and livestock.

Ikun Dairy Farm, located in Ikun-Ekiti in Mobs LGA, Ekiti State, Nigeria, is a revitalized $5 million agricultural joint venture between Promasidor Nigeria Limited (76% stake) and the Ekiti State Government (24% stake). After being idle for roughly 40 years, the farm now features over 700 high-yielding Jersey cattle and produces fresh milk for local consumption and processing.

Key Aspects of Ikun Dairy Farm:
Production & Capacity: The farm focuses on high-yield Jersey cattle, with plans to produce 10,000 liters of milk daily. As of late 2025, it was already producing over 6,000 kg of fresh milk daily.

Inspection of the Jersey Cows delivered to Ikun Dairy Farm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtv9jbo2Xu8
John Kayode Fayemi, PhD • 2021



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xa-OBygcE8


Ile Iyi Electric Power Company Ltd: Incorporated by the state government to manage electricity provision.

Ekiti State Public Works Corporation: Established to handle direct labor road construction and maintenance.

Gossy Warm Springs Limited: A partnership between the state government and investors, which the government supports for water production.

Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA): An agency established to drive investment initiatives, including attracting firms for rice milling and cassava processing.

Ounje Ekiti: A state-sponsored food retail strategy.

Ekiti State Water and Sewerage Company (EKSWSC): A state-owned entity managing water sanitation.

Craneburg EKSG Motorways PLC: A partnership with Craneburg Construction.

Gov. Oyebanji Inaugurates Board For State’s Investment Company.
23 Jan 2024 - There are enormous opportunities for the Holdings to delve into, to diversify the current portfolio of companies under its managements, and to explore new vista.
Ekiti State Government

Ekiti Govt. Incorporates Ile Iyi Electric Power Company Nig. Limited
25 May 2024 - Ekiti Govt. Incorporates Ile Iyi Electric Power Company Nig. Limited For Effective Provision Of Electricity. – Ekiti State Government Website.

Government of Ekiti State, Nigeria. - Facebook
30 May 2025 - BREAKING: The Government of Ekiti State is currently in talks with Dangote, Coscharis and Stallion Group Industries Limited to set up rice mills in Ekiti State.

lawani:
That is very impressive. Are you from Ekiti state? I guess the efforts of the state government is why the state was able to generate a lot of VAT. I am happy that the state is not going along with the idea that government should not be in business. If they have gotten the hang on the dairy business they should expand it with an IPO.