The Oyo State government has commenced the construction of a 400,000-litre capacity elevated Braitwaite water tank at the Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan.
This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to upgrade the airport to international status.
This was disclosed by the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Water Corporation, Elias Adeojo, during a meeting with engineers of the corporation overseeing the project, in a statement issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
Adeojo explained that the water supply project was being implemented in three phases.
According to him, “The first phase currently involves the excavation of trenches for pipeline laying and backfilling, while the second phase will cover the welding and installation of pipelines to key locations across the airport premises.
“The third and final phase involves the construction of the 400,000-litre capacity elevated Braitwaite tank, which will supply water to the airport, using gravity-based distribution.”
He added that all aspects of the project would run concurrently to ease execution and maintain quality standards.
Adeojo emphasised the strategic importance of the project to Governor Seyi Makinde, whom he said has shown strong commitment through sustained support.
He therefore urged the engineers to put in their best and deliver quality output across all phases of the project.
The water project, according to the chairman, would be fast-tracked, adding that upon completion, it would significantly improve water supply at the airport and contribute to its readiness for international flight operations.
Recall, PUNCH Online reported on May 20, the upgrade of Ladoke Akintola International Airport in Ibadan was officially flagged off on September 18, 2024, and intensified after a temporary shutdown in March 2025 to fast-track the project.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, explained that the upgrade involved extending the runway from 2,400 to 3,000 meters, widening it from 45 to 60 meters to accommodate wide-body aircraft, and upgrading airfield lighting and firefighting systems to international standards.
He said, “These upgrades reflect the government’s vision of transforming the Ibadan Airport into a modern and internationally competitive facility. By enhancing our infrastructure to accommodate larger aircraft, we are not only improving domestic connectivity but also paving the way for global travel.”
The airport’s international terminal was about 15% complete and was expected to be ready by June 2026. Oyelade also reiterated Governor Seyi Makinde’s promise that the next year’s Hajj flight would depart from the upgraded airport.
