President Bola Tinubu has stated that his administration’s infrastructure and economic reforms are designed to improve citizens’ well-being and long term national growth, with the Gateway Cargo International Airport in Ogun State representing a strategic investment in trade connectivity and industrial expansion. Speaking on Saturday in Iperu, Ogun, during the inauguration of the airport built by Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, the President said the reforms were targeted at easing living conditions, stimulating enterprise, and creating sustainable opportunities for Nigerians across sectors and regions.
Tinubu described the airport as a strategic gateway for trade, investment and industrial expansion, positioning Ogun as a key logistics hub within Nigeria’s transportation network. He also unveiled newly acquired aircraft under Gateway Airline, marking a milestone in the state’s aviation and logistics development drive. The President said the airline would enhance connectivity, reduce travel bottlenecks and support business activities within and beyond the state. “Our investment is about our people. The infrastructure underscores our faith and belief that today’s foundation is for tomorrow’s prosperity,” Tinubu said.
The President emphasised that government projects must directly impact livelihoods, create jobs and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s economic future. He praised Abiodun’s commitment to residents’ welfare, noting alignment with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and said collaboration between federal and state governments was essential to achieving inclusive and balanced national development. The airport is powered by an independent energy source, reflecting investment in reliable and sustainable infrastructure systems, and Tinubu noted that stable energy supply was critical to efficient airport operations and broader industrial growth.
“Development must touch every level. I am pleased with the mobility, security and agricultural initiatives delivered today,” he added, stressing that no sector should be left behind in the country’s development agenda, particularly rural and productive communities. Tinubu also inaugurated 1,000 electric bikes, security vehicles and tractors to boost transport, safety and agricultural productivity. He said the equipment would improve last mile mobility, strengthen security presence and support mechanised farming across the state, and that the electric bikes initiative represented a smart response to modern transport needs supporting cleaner, technology driven mobility systems aligned with global trends toward environmentally friendly and cost efficient transportation solutions.
From an economic perspective, the Gateway Cargo Airport represents a significant investment in Ogun State’s logistics infrastructure. The state hosts a concentration of manufacturing industries, including major cement plants, food processing facilities, and other industrial operations that rely on efficient transport networks for raw material import and finished goods export. The airport’s cargo capabilities could reduce the need for businesses to route goods through Lagos ports and airports, potentially lowering logistics costs and improving supply chain reliability. The independent power source addresses a critical constraint that has hampered airport operations elsewhere in Nigeria, where grid electricity unreliability forces reliance on expensive diesel generators.
The electric bikes initiative, while modest in scale, signals attention to last mile mobility and sustainable transport. Electric motorcycles produce lower emissions than petrol powered equivalents and have lower operating costs, potentially reducing expenses for riders and users. However, the success of the initiative will depend on availability of charging infrastructure, battery replacement and maintenance support, and affordability for target users. The security vehicles and tractors address two other critical areas: rural safety, which affects agricultural production and community stability, and farm mechanisation, which can improve productivity and reduce post harvest losses.
Tinubu’s remarks on increased revenue flows enabling states to undertake impactful projects and reduce dependence on federal allocations reflect the fiscal reality of the post subsidy removal era. The removal of fuel subsidies and exchange rate unification have increased federal revenues, which flow to states through the Federation Account Allocation Committee. Governor Abiodun noted that foreign exchange unification, fuel subsidy removal and public finance restructuring were measures restoring investor confidence and repositioning Nigeria’s economy for resilience and long term competitiveness. He cited initiatives such as the CNG programme, NELFUND, rail modernisation and highway projects as indicators of economic reset.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, commending Tinubu’s democratic credentials, affirmed the National Assembly’s role in strengthening democracy and sustaining reforms. He noted that Tinubu pioneered independent power projects in Lagos and advocated decentralisation of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, arguing that decentralisation would improve efficiency, attract investment and address persistent power challenges. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo described Tinubu’s leadership as visionary and purposeful in advancing Ogun’s development trajectory, noting that when Ogun was created 50 years ago, the current level of development was not envisaged.
The dignitaries present included Finance Minister Wale Edun, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, Communications Minister Bosun Tijani, Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso, alongside state governors and traditional rulers. The gathering underscored the political significance of the event, with cross party attendance reflecting the ceremonial nature of the occasion and recognition of infrastructure development as a non partisan achievement. For Governor Abiodun, the inauguration provides visible evidence of his administration’s capital investment record, which may feature prominently in his political positioning ahead of future elections.
