From Moshood Karim
Governor Monday Okpebholo’s announcement of an imminent state-owned airline, Edo Air, has injected fresh momentum into Edo State’s ambition to become a major aviation and economic hub in Nigeria, while offering residents a rare and practical advantage that sets it apart from other State-backed carriers in the country.
Unlike many State-owned airlines that merely operate flights, Edo Air is being conceived as a full aviation ecosystem anchored on the Oba Akenzua II Airport, Benin City. The project is designed not only to move passengers but to deliberately grow skills, jobs, and revenue within the state. For Edo people, the promise is clear: cheaper air travel, easier connectivity, and direct economic participation in the aviation value chain.
Governor Okpebholo said the airline forms part of a broader transport and infrastructure expansion strategy aimed at unlocking Edo’s vast economic potential. With improved air connectivity, the State expects increased investor confidence, a stronger tourism industry, and enhanced ease of doing business for local entrepreneurs and multinational firms alike.
What makes Edo Air particularly distinctive is its people-centred focus. Beyond boosting internally generated revenue, the airline is expected to create employment across aviation, hospitality, logistics, and allied services. For Edo youths, it represents a direct pathway into high-value aviation careers, while residents and businesses stand to benefit from a more affordable and reliable alternative for air travel.
The initiative receives a significant boost from Edo State’s partnership with Donovan Lombard, a South African aviation company. Under the collaboration, an assembly plant for light aircraft is established in Benin City, alongside comprehensive training programmes for pilots, aircraft engineers, mechanics, and other aviation professionals. This combination of airline operations and aircraft assembly is rare among State-owned aviation projects in Nigeria and positions Edo as more than just a consumer of aviation services.
“This partnership will result in the establishment of an assembly plant where our youths can acquire critical skills,” Governor Okpebholo had said. “It represents a significant investment in Edo State, and my administration is committed to supporting this endeavour to ensure maximum benefits for our citizens.”
He added that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the State government will fund training programmes to reduce unemployment and stimulate wealth creation across Edo. According to the governor, all three senatorial districts will benefit from what he described as a landmark development.
As Nigeria’s aviation sector continues to grapple with high operating costs and limited local capacity, Edo Air’s integrated approach: combining affordable travel, skills development, and aircraft assembly, offers a compelling model. For Edo State, the airline is more than a symbol of ambition; it is a strategic investment in mobility, manpower, and long-term economic resilience.
Moshood Karim writes from Benin City.
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