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Akwa Ibom State has marked a significant milestone in its aviation journey with the launch of its first international flight from the Victor Attah International Airport (VALA) in Uyo on Saturday.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, joined the state Governor, Umo Eno, to inaugurate the first international flight from Uyo Airport.
The inaugural flight from Uyo to Accra was described by state officials as more than a routine trip, but a symbolic realisation of long-standing ambitions. The moment, according to the state government, reflects years of planning and investment aimed at positioning Akwa Ibom as a key player in West Africa’s aviation landscape.
Keyamo emphasised the uniqueness of the facility, stating that “what we have built at VAIA is not just a terminal. It is a transit hub,” adding that it stands as “the only one of its kind at any sub-national level in Nigeria.” His remarks reinforce the government’s positioning of the airport as a strategic infrastructure asset rather than a conventional regional terminal.
Authorities also stressed the financial model behind the development, noting that the terminal and nine accompanying airport projects were delivered without external borrowing.
The administration described the achievement as one built on “fiscal discipline,” highlighting that the state “owes no bank a single kobo” for the infrastructure.
Looking ahead, the state has outlined plans to expand the airport into a fully integrated aviation ecosystem. Projects in the pipeline include a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, a cargo terminal, and an aviation village designed to support industry growth and employment.
The state government acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s role in approving the airport’s international status, describing the move as critical to unlocking new opportunities for trade, tourism, and investment.
