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The call for establishment of an international airport in Kogi State is not only timely but also strategically essential. The state’s geographic advantage, as the central “Confluence” of Nigeria and its position as the only oil-producing state in Northern Nigeria, makes it a prime candidate for such an infrastructural investment.
Currently, only a few states in Nigeria can boast of an airport with true international status. By building and fully equipping an international airport, Kogi can secure an edge in both local and global air travel, opening doors for business, tourism, and investment opportunities that will be transformative for the state’s economy and its people.
With over 32 solid minerals, including those under active exploration and exploitation, Kogi State stands as an industrial and resource-rich state. An international airport would expedite and facilitate the movement of goods and personnel, enabling businesses to tap into the global market with ease.
The presence of a modern airport would create an efficient transportation channel for exporting Kogi’s vast mineral resources, attracting more investors and positioning the state as a hub for mining and related industries. This, in turn, would lead to job creation, wealth generation, and skill development within the state and beyond.
In a country of over 200 million people with a strong culture of international travel, an international airport in Kogi would cater to a high demand for accessible travel options given Kogi’s unique location especially that it is bordered by ten states. This provides a strategic advantage, making it accessible to millions in the surrounding areas.
If Properly managed, this facility could become a major revenue earner for the state, bolstering the local economy and potentially reducing reliance on federal allocations. For businesses, tourism, and even healthcare, the airport would serve as a central point, connecting Kogi to major cities across Africa and beyond.
On a personal note , I Envision “Confluence Air,” in a nearest future, an international gateway in Kogi, which could be transformative. This airport would not only be a marker of Kogi’s growth but also a symbol of its readiness to participate actively in Nigeria’s economic transformation. Kogi has a comparative advantage of having such facilities.
The development of such a facility underscores the importance of an inclusive economic plan, where government investment meets local aspirations and creates a path for sustainable development, increased trade, and a global economic footprint for Kogi State.
The notion that government should have no hand in business could very well be a tactic rooted in capitalist ideology, designed to keep governments from engaging in revenue-generating enterprises or establishing facilities that contribute to economic growth.
By promoting a hands-off approach, private entities may aim to limit government competition, creating an environment where essential services and lucrative ventures are left to private monopolies or oligarchies, potentially to the detriment of broader social and economic benefits.
In reality, when governments invest ininfrastructure like international airports, railways, and industrial hubs, they enable economic inclusivity, ensure balanced wealth distribution, and foster sustainable growth by opening up revenue streams that benefit the public at large, rather than a privileged few.
As an Aviation Tech expert with a few works done on this industry, I could say with all enthusiastic drift that our state needs such a facility as such a time as this given our natural endowment and nodal status of our state.
– Oyigu Elijah writes from Abuja.
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