The Federal Government has put the brakes on the relocation of the Osun State International Airport project from Ido-Osun to Akoda, Ede, following a flurry of petitions.

In a letter to Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Ministry of Aviation’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, requested that the foundation laying ceremony, initially scheduled for Monday, be suspended until the issues surrounding the existing airstrip are resolved ¹.

The controversy began when Governor Adeleke approved the relocation of the airport project to his hometown, citing technical issues. However, the move was met with resistance from the Ido-Osun community, who protested the decision, arguing that it was nepotistic and undemocratic.

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The community had already begun work on the original site, and the relocation would mean abandoning the existing airstrip where funds had been expended.
The Ministry of Aviation’s letter emphasized the need for a harmonized approach between the state and federal governments to avoid wasting scarce resources.

The airstrip is a federal project, captured in the Ministry’s 2024 Appropriation, and the government is keen to ensure that funds are used judiciously.
The decision to halt the relocation has sparked mixed reactions. While some have welcomed the move, others have criticized the federal government’s intervention, accusing it of meddling in state affairs.

The development has also raised questions about the future of the airport project, which was initially intended to be completed in 12 years.
As the issue continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the fate of the Osun State International Airport project hangs in the balance, and it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved.