Why Imo Airport was Shut Down -Keyamo
Why Imo Airport was Shut Down -Keyamo
The Federal Government has announced the temporary closure of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State, for approximately 25 days to allow for critical runway rehabilitation, resurfacing and extension works, in a decision the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said was necessary to address deteriorating infrastructure and improve aviation safety ahead of the Christmas travel season.
Keyamo disclosed the closure on Friday in a statement issued in Abuja, saying the shutdown would commence on October 20, 2026, and last approximately 25 days. He said the decision was reached after consultations with the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and other critical stakeholders in the state and the South-East, who agreed on the need to temporarily close the runway to enable contractors to carry out the required works effectively. “I wish to inform the travelling public, particularly residents of Imo State and the wider South-East on the temporary closure of Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, for improved safety, operational efficiency and capacity ahead of the Christmas travel season,” the minister said. “Aviation safety cannot be compromised, and the closure is necessary to enable contractors to carry out the required works effectively.”
The rehabilitation will involve repairs to deteriorated sections of the runway pavement, treatment of extensive surface cracks, filling of potholes and resurfacing of affected areas. The project also includes the extension of the runway, which the government said would improve the airport’s capacity to accommodate larger aircraft, including wide-body planes, subject to applicable operational and regulatory requirements. Keyamo said the completed works were expected to restore the runway to a safer and more reliable operational condition and strengthen the airport’s ability to serve the growing demand for air travel in the South-East. He emphasised that the timing of the intervention was particularly important because passenger traffic and flight movements to Owerri and other parts of the South-East traditionally increase during the Christmas travel season, and the government had a responsibility to ensure that airport infrastructure was in the right condition to support safe and efficient operations during the peak period and beyond.
The closure is a joint project of the Federal Government, through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and the Imo State Government. Keyamo acknowledged the Imo State Government’s contribution to the runway extension project, describing the collaboration as evidence of what could be achieved through cooperation between different levels of government. According to him, the joint effort was aimed at delivering an airport capable of meeting the growing air transport needs of the South-East and supporting the region’s economic development. He commended Uzodimma and the Imo State Government for their cooperation, describing the partnership as an effective collaboration to upgrade aviation infrastructure and stimulate regional economic growth. The minister said the Federal Government would continue to engage the Imo State Government, airlines and other relevant stakeholders to coordinate the project and minimise disruption to travellers.
The minister acknowledged that the temporary shutdown would cause some inconvenience to passengers, airlines and other airport users, and he appealed for their understanding and cooperation. He advised passengers scheduled to travel through the airport during the closure period to contact their respective airlines for information on flight cancellations, rescheduling and alternative travel arrangements. He said the confirmed closure and reopening dates would be communicated through appropriate official channels. Keyamo also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to developing safer, more efficient and modern aviation infrastructure across the country, adding that the Owerri runway rehabilitation and extension project formed part of efforts to strengthen air connectivity in the South-East.
The closure of the Sam Mbakwe airport is the latest in a series of infrastructure interventions by the Tinubu administration in the aviation sector. In September 2025, the Federal Executive Council approved a N65.7 billion contract for the rehabilitation of the Sam Mbakwe airport and the Port Harcourt airport. The government has also invested in the reconstruction of the Lagos airport, including a $500 million fund for terminal and runway upgrades, and the rehabilitation of the Abuja airport runway. The minister has consistently framed these interventions as part of a broader strategy to improve aviation safety, expand capacity and position Nigeria as a regional aviation hub.
The political context of the closure is significant. The 2027 general elections are less than four months away, with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, and the governorship and state assembly elections for February 6. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seeking a second term on the All Progressives Congress platform, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, former Anambra Governor Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement are among the major challengers. Imo State, as the home of the APC Governors’ Forum Chairman and a key South-East battleground, will be closely watched. The government’s decision to close the airport for repairs ahead of the Christmas season is intended to demonstrate responsiveness to infrastructure needs, but it also risks disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers during the festive period. The minister’s appeal for understanding reflects an awareness that the closure, however necessary, will be felt by travellers and businesses that depend on the airport.
For the people of Imo State and the wider South-East, the temporary closure represents both a short-term inconvenience and a long-term investment in the region’s aviation infrastructure. For airlines operating in and out of Owerri, the 25-day shutdown will require adjustments to flight schedules and passenger arrangements. For the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the project is a test of its capacity to manage a complex rehabilitation programme within a tight timeline. As Keyamo put it, the closure is in the best interest of aviation safety and the long-term operational efficiency of the airport, which serves as a critical gateway for the people, businesses and economic activities of the South-East. The coming weeks will determine whether the rehabilitation is completed on schedule and whether the airport reopens with the improved capacity that the government has promised.
