The Anambra State Government is facing growing criticism over its decision to build a second airport, with many stakeholders questioning the need for another aviation facility when the state's existing airport is still struggling to attract enough passengers.
The debate follows the government's recent confirmation that it plans to construct another airport as part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo's long-term development agenda.
The new airport is expected to support the proposed Aerotropolis City project, which is designed to serve as an aviation, industrial and commercial centre under the state's Vision 2070 development plan.
The announcement marks a shift from the government's earlier position. In September 2025, the state dismissed reports that an airport would be built in Ndikelionwu, Orumba North Local Government Area.
At the time, officials explained that discussions about the Anambra Mixed-Use Industrial City had led to speculation that the industrial project would require its own airport, adding that no final decision had been taken.
However, in June 2026, the government confirmed that work had begun on plans for a second airport. According to the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, the facility is expected to become operational within one to two years and will serve not only Anambra but also neighbouring states by supporting economic activities around the proposed aerotropolis.
The proposal has also renewed attention on the performance of the existing Chinua Achebe International Airport in Umueri, which began commercial operations in December 2021 after receiving approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
The airport recorded 142 flights and 3,865 passengers during its first month of operation.
Five years later, its management said the airport had handled more than 8,600 commercial and private flights and over 600,000 passengers.
Despite those figures, airport management has repeatedly appealed to Anambra residents to use the facility instead of travelling to airports in neighbouring states, saying greater patronage would improve revenue and strengthen the airport's operations.
Industry experts believe the state's plan should be examined against the wider challenges facing Nigeria's aviation sector.
Although the country has a population of about 220 million people, passenger movement by air remains relatively low, with fewer than 18 million passenger trips recorded in 2025.
Nigeria has more than 20 airports, but aviation analysts say only a few major airports, including those in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano, generate strong commercial traffic.
Experts have also pointed to declining passenger numbers in recent years as rising ticket prices continue to push many travellers toward road transportation instead of flying.
Several aviation stakeholders have argued that the state would benefit more from investing in the existing airport rather than building another one.
Aviation analyst Chris Aligbe described the proposal as an unnecessary project, saying available land around the current airport could accommodate future expansion and support industrial development without constructing another facility.
Former Murtala Muhammed Airport commandant, retired Group Captain John Ojikutu, also questioned the business case for the project, noting that nearby states already operate airports and asking whether demand exists to justify another one.
Beyond concerns about economic viability, some observers believe political interests may be influencing the decision.
Good governance advocate Kingsley Ubani argued that the existing airport has not been fully utilised and said public funds would be better spent on sectors such as healthcare, education and employment instead of another airport project.
He also expressed concern that building airports in different regions of the state could become a political pattern rather than an economic necessity.
0 Comments
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed on this platform as comments were freely made by each person under his or her own volition or responsibility and were neither suggested nor dictated by the owners of News PLATFORM or any of their contracted staff. So we take no liability whatsoever for such comments.
Please take note!