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Kogi State has officially moved forward with plans to build a multi-billion naira international airport, positioning itself as a strategic logistics alternative to Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.

Governor Ahmed Ododo handed over the site for the Zariagi International Airport to contractors on Wednesday, marking the start of a project intended to transform the central state into a regional aviation and trade hub.

The contract was awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), a global infrastructure giant, and the local firm Gamji Nigeria Limited.

A ‘strategic alternative’ to the capital

Located just south of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kogi State serves as a vital link between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions. Governor Ododo stated that the new facility would act as a relief for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, helping to ease congestion while providing a more accessible route for investors moving into Nigeria’s interior.

“This is a legacy initiative,” the Governor said during the ceremony in Lokoja. “Kogi occupies a special place in Nigeria’s aviation history, yet the absence of a functional airport has been a long-standing gap. This project will finally close that gap.”

The Governor also noted that the project has received the full backing of President Bola Tinubu’s federal administration.

Technical specifications and cargo focus

The project is designed not just for passenger travel, but as a major logistics artery for the country’s agricultural and solid mineral sectors.

Key features of the Zariagi International Airport include:

• A 3.6-kilometre runway: Specifically designed to accommodate large-bodied aircraft and heavy cargo planes.
• Scale: The facility will sit on approximately 4,000 hectares of land, allowing for future expansion.
• Traffic: Authorities project a passenger volume of 250,000 annually.
• Logistics: The site will include dedicated cargo terminals and warehouses to support the export of minerals and farm produce.

While CCECC will handle the high-tech airside infrastructure and terminal buildings, Gamji Nigeria Limited has been tasked with the perimeter and security fencing.

Economic transformation

For an international audience, the move signals Kogi’s intent to capitalize on its geography. By creating a world-class landing strip in the “Confluence State”—where the Niger and Benue rivers meet—the government hopes to unlock the state’s vast untapped wealth in solid minerals and trade.

Representatives from CCECC and Gamji pledged to deliver the project in line with international aviation standards. “We are committed to a timely and quality delivery,” said Jun Don Pin, a representative for the Chinese firm.

The project follows an extensive planning phase conducted during the 2025 fiscal year, with construction expected to be a centerpiece of the state’s economic agenda through 2026 and beyond.