Criticism Mounts as Anambra Pushes Ahead With Second Airport Project

The Anambra State Government’s plan to construct a second airport has continued to attract criticism from aviation stakeholders and public policy advocates, who argue that the project should not take precedence over expanding and improving the state’s existing airport.

The controversy follows the government’s reversal of its earlier position on the issue. In September 2025, Information Commissioner Dr. Law Mefor dismissed reports that an airport would be built in Ndikelionwu, saying no decision had been reached regarding transport infrastructure for the Anambra Mixed-Use Industrial City (AMIC).

However, by June 2026, the government confirmed that a second airport would be developed as part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Aerotropolis City project and the state’s Vision 2070 economic development plan.

Explaining the proposal, Mefor said the airport would strengthen Anambra’s position as an aviation and industrial hub.

“There will be a second airport in Anambra. We are already working on it, and in the next one to two years, flights will begin operating from the new airport and aviation activities will commence,” he stated.

He further said the airport’s location would make it accessible to residents of neighbouring South-East states.

The announcement has reignited debate over the performance of Chinua Achebe International Airport, which commenced commercial operations in December 2021.

According to the airport’s Managing Director, Martin Nwafor, the facility has handled more than 8,600 flights and over 600,000 passengers within five years of operation, although he admitted many Anambra residents still prefer airports in neighbouring states.

“I don’t see why the state would have a facility like this, while the majority of our citizens patronise airports in other States,” Nwafor said.

Industry observers say the proposal should be weighed against the realities of Nigeria’s aviation sector, where passenger traffic has declined in recent years due to rising airfares and only a few airports remain commercially sustainable.

Aviation consultant Chris Aligbe questioned the rationale behind constructing another airport.

“The distances within Anambra State are so short that there is no need for another airport… They should channel the money into developing the existing airport instead,” he said.

Former airport commandant John Ojikutu also challenged the government to present a viable business plan for the proposed facility, noting the proximity of airports in Enugu, Imo and Delta states.

Meanwhile, governance advocate Kingsley Ubani argued that the project reflects misplaced priorities, saying the funds could be better invested in sectors such as healthcare, education and employment.

“Everybody is worried that we are just wasting money to build a new airport that will cost over N60 billion when we could channel the resources into other areas such as healthcare, education and job creation,” Ubani said.

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