OGUN
The Ogun State Government has announced that the Gateway International Airport, Iperu, will receive its first commercial flight on October 7, 2025, as Nigerian carrier ValueJet commences scheduled operations from the newly commissioned aerodrome.
In a statement on Friday, the government confirmed that ValueJet will operate twice-weekly flights on the Ogun–Abuja route. Departures from Gateway International Airport are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 am, arriving in Abuja at 9:45 am. Return flights will leave Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 4:00 pm, landing in Iperu by 5:15 pm.
The airport, commissioned on August 15, 2025, with an Aerodrome Operational Permit from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, boasts a 4,000-metre-long, 60-metre-wide runway. This makes it one of the longest and widest in West Africa, capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350.
According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Kayode Akinmade, the commencement of ValueJet flights signifies that the facility has received “the green light from regulatory agencies” to begin full-fledged operations.
Tickets for the new flights became available on September 25, according to ValueJet. They can be purchased online via the airline’s website, through travel agents, and at ticket desks at the Gateway International Airport.
The airline’s Managing Director, Capt Omololu Majekodunmi, explained that the launch aligns with ValueJet’s broader expansion strategy. “As part of our expansion programme, we are serving the growing demand in Ogun while offering an alternative to Lagos and Ibadan for passengers in the Gateway International Airport catchment area,” he said.
Majekodunmi highlighted the strategic importance of GWI’s location. Situated near the Sagamu Interchange and along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the airport is well-positioned to serve both passenger travel and cargo logistics. He added that the development provides relief to travelers who previously depended on the congested Lagos and Ibadan airports.
The ValueJet boss noted that the airline’s growth in the past three years has been driven by customer loyalty, strategic partnerships, and a firm commitment to safety and service quality. He assured travelers that ValueJet will deliver safe, reliable, and competitively priced services on the new route.
“Our operations from Gateway International Airport mark a milestone not just for the airline but for Ogun State as well. We look forward to connecting more Nigerians through this modern facility,” Majekodunmi added.
The Ogun State Government described the new flight operations as a significant economic breakthrough. The airport is expected to stimulate trade, investment, and tourism in the state while improving connectivity for businesses and residents.
With commercial flights commencing, Gateway International Airport is set to become a viable aviation hub in the southwest, complementing existing facilities in Lagos and Ibadan while positioning Ogun as a key player in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
