Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has handed over the contract for the proposed Zariagi International Airport to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Gamji Nigeria Limited.
The ceremony took place on Wednesday at the Government House in Lokoja, with stakeholders and representatives of the contracting firms in attendance.
Ododo described the airport project as a legacy initiative aimed at boosting economic growth and improving regional connectivity.
He said the contractors emerged through a rigorous procurement process and assured them of the state government’s support in delivering a standard aviation facility.
The governor also appreciated Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government for approving the project.
He noted that Kogi holds a place in Nigeria’s aviation history, adding that the absence of a functional airport in the state had been a long-standing gap.
According to him, the proposed airport will serve as an alternative to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, helping to reduce traffic while improving access for travellers and investors.
Ododo added that the state’s central location linking northern and southern Nigeria makes it suitable for a major aviation hub.
He said the project would also create employment opportunities and boost sectors such as agriculture, trade and solid minerals.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Transportation, Victor Atuluku, said the project had undergone extensive planning within the 2025 fiscal year.
He explained that the development would include landside infrastructure, terminal facilities and airside components.
Atuluku added that CCECC would handle the core construction, including the runway and terminal building, while Gamji Nigeria Limited would oversee perimeter fencing.
He disclosed that the airport would feature a 3.6-kilometre runway capable of accommodating large aircraft and would sit on about 4,000 hectares of land, with room for expansion.
He added that the facility would support cargo operations and is projected to handle about 250,000 passengers annually.
Representatives of the contracting firms assured the government of their commitment to delivering the project in line with international standards.
