Oyo State Begins Construction of 400,000-Litre Water Tank at Ibadan Airport

Project Overview: Three-Phase Implementation

According to Elias Adeojo, Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Water Corporation, the project is strategically divided into three pivotal phases:

1. Phase One: Excavation of trenches, laying pipelines, and backfilling.

2. Phase Two: Welding and installation of pipelines to serve key zones across the airport.

3. Phase Three: Construction of the 400,000-litre capacity elevated Braitwaite tank, designed to use gravity-based distribution to deliver water across the facility

All phases will be executed concurrently to expedite progress and safeguard quality standards.

Why This Matters: Strategic Importance

This project is more than just a water supply upgrade—it’s central to the ambition of transforming Ibadan Airport into a global gateway. Governor Seyi Makinde has prioritized the initiative, underscoring its importance to the airport’s operational readiness.

Key expected benefits include:

• Reliable water access for passengers, airlines, and airport operations.

• Enhanced water infrastructure to support runway extension, terminal expansion, lighting, and safety upgrades already in progress as part of the airport’s transformation.

• Link to Broader Airport Upgrade Efforts

The water tank initiative is just one facet of sweeping renovations at Ladoke Akintola International Airport, flagged off in September 2024 and intensified after a brief March 2025 shutdown.

Other upgrade components include:

• Stretching the runway from 2,400 m to 3,000 m

• Widening it from 45 m to 60 m to support wide-body aircraft

• Upgrading airfield lighting and firefighting equipment to meet international aviation standards

• New international terminal (≈15% complete as of now), with hoped-for readiness by June 2026, including serving as the departure point for next year’s Hajj flights

Conclusion: What This Means for Ibadan

The elevated 400,000-litre water tank is a game-changer for Ibadan Airport, enhancing utility reliability and supporting increased passenger and aircraft activity. It’s emblematic of Oyo State’s broader vision for modernization, economic integration, and regional connectivity.