February 19, (THEWILL) — Akwa Ibom State Government has scheduled April 2026 for the commencement of international flight operations at the Victor Attah International Airport, unveiling what officials describe as a debt-free, fully integrated smart terminal designed to reposition the state as a regional aviation hub.
The new international terminal at the Victor Attah International Airport is being delivered without fresh commercial borrowing, according to the State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Emem Bob, who chairs the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer Committee.
Bob said the project is funded entirely through federal allocations and internally generated revenue, a fiscal decision seen as significant amid rising debt levels among subnational governments across Nigeria.
He confirmed that the airport has already secured international status and that a state monitoring committee led by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, is overseeing final contractor deliverables ahead of the inaugural flight.
Unlike the conventional dual-terminal model common in Nigeria, the new facility integrates both domestic and international operations under one roof. The terminal was designed and constructed by VKS Construction Ltd.
Chairman of the construction firm, Engr. Oliver Ebong, said the project remains on schedule, barring unforeseen delays. He disclosed that five passenger boarding bridges are to be installed, with two already delivered, marking one of the final major milestones before commissioning.
The terminal features motion-sensor lighting, automated bi-directional escalators, a sealed HVAC climate-control system and smart energy management architecture. Seven synchronised generators have been installed to guarantee an uninterrupted power supply, alongside a dedicated public electricity line.
Final works on the apron, perimeter fencing and other ancillary infrastructure are ongoing, while operational systems are being synchronised in preparation for launch.
The commencement of international operations will mark Akwa Ibom’s formal entry into global aviation routes and reinforce its push to position the state as a logistics, tourism and investment gateway in the South-South region.
