Can Tunde Lemo’s Airport prediction come true? Why Ogun’s new Gateway International Airport could transform the state’s economy
Tunde Lemo backs Ogun airport as major GDP and IGR booster
Former Central Bank of Nigeria deputy governor Tunde Lemo has declared that the newly commissioned Gateway International Airport in Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, could become a major driver of economic expansion, jobs, exports and government revenue in the state.
Lemo made the remarks after President Bola Tinubu commissioned the airport over the weekend, describing the project as more than an aviation facility. According to him, the airport represents a strategic economic asset that could significantly boost Ogun State’s GDP, strengthen logistics and improve the state’s position as an investment destination. Vanguard reported that Lemo called the project “progress, opportunity, and a new economic pathway” for Ogun residents.
The development has quickly drawn attention because the airport is being positioned not just for passenger traffic, but as a cargo-focused infrastructure project with strong implications for agricultural exports, industrial logistics and the broader Southwest economy.
Tunde Lemo Praises Gateway International Airport as Ogun’s Next Economic Catalyst
Speaking on the sidelines of the commissioning ceremony, Lemo said the airport would create jobs, expand commerce and help position Ogun as a strategic hub for investment. He also projected that if the facility succeeds as planned, Ogun could rank among the top three states in internally generated revenue (IGR) within the next five years.
Lemo’s comments align with the wider narrative pushed by the Ogun State Government around the project. During the commissioning, Governor Dapo Abiodun described the airport as the nucleus of an emerging aerotropolis, while President Tinubu called it a “major economic hub” in the corridor. Vanguard also reported that the airport is being integrated with wider investments in mobility, security, agriculture and logistics.
This framing matters because the airport is being sold as a long-term infrastructure play, not simply a ceremonial launch.
Why Gateway International Airport Matters for Ogun State’s Economy
The Gateway International Airport, Iperu, is expected to serve both passenger and cargo operations, but much of the economic argument around it is tied to cargo movement, especially for agricultural products and industrial supply chains.
According to Vanguard, the facility includes a nearly four-kilometre runway, a modern control tower, advanced aviation systems and dedicated cargo-handling infrastructure. Governor Abiodun said the project is designed to strengthen trade and logistics, while Lemo specifically highlighted its potential to increase Nigeria’s export capacity, particularly in agricultural produce, and improve foreign exchange earnings.
That cargo angle is crucial for Ogun. The state already has a strong industrial base and proximity to Lagos, which means a functioning cargo airport could reduce logistics pressure, improve turnaround time for exporters and offer businesses an alternative route outside the congestion associated with Lagos aviation corridors.
Cargo Operations Could Be the Real Growth Story
Earlier reports from P.M. News suggested that commercial cargo operations at the airport were already being lined up with aviation and logistics players including Allied Air and SAHCOL. The report said stakeholders believed the airport could create jobs across warehousing, trucking, cold-chain logistics, packaging and export processing.
That context helps explain why Lemo’s comments are gaining traction. His forecast of higher GDP and IGR is not based solely on symbolism; it is tied to the expectation that the airport could become a real trade and export platform for Ogun and the Southwest.
Vanguard also noted that commercial passenger flight operations at the airport had already commenced in October 2025, while cargo operations were part of the state’s broader rollout.
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Tinubu, Abiodun and the Politics Around the Project
President Bola Tinubu personally commissioned the airport on April 4, 2026, alongside other state projects including aircraft under Gateway Air, security vehicles, tractors and supporting aviation infrastructure. The event was framed by both federal and state officials as a sign of stronger federal-state development alignment.
Lemo used the occasion to praise both Tinubu and Governor Abiodun, backing the President’s economic reforms as “bold and necessary” while commending Abiodun’s “visionary leadership.” He also acknowledged that previous administrations had contributed to the project’s eventual delivery.
That is politically significant because Lemo is not just a former CBN official; Vanguard previously reported that he has already declared interest in the 2027 Ogun governorship race under the APC.
As a result, his comments are being read in two ways: as a policy endorsement of a major economic project, and as a signal of his development-focused positioning ahead of the next political cycle.
Can Ogun Really Become a Top Three IGR State?
Lemo’s boldest claim was that the airport could help push Ogun into the top three IGR states in Nigeria within five years if the project is successfully sustained. That is an ambitious projection, but Ogun’s recent numbers suggest why such a claim is even being made.
Governor Abiodun has said the state’s IGR has risen to over ₦250 billion annually, while the state’s GDP has grown sharply in recent years. Separate reports from Vanguard and P.M. News have highlighted that revenue growth as part of Ogun’s broader economic narrative.
Whether the airport alone can deliver that leap is uncertain. But as part of a wider logistics, industrial and export ecosystem, it could become a meaningful contributor.
What This Means for Ogun’s Business Future
If fully optimized, the Gateway International Airport could reshape how Ogun competes with other industrial states in Nigeria. For manufacturers, agro-exporters and investors, the promise is simple: faster movement of goods, lower logistics friction and better access to regional and national markets.
That is why Tunde Lemo’s comments are resonating beyond politics. They tap into a bigger question now being asked in Ogun and across Nigeria: Can a state-owned cargo airport actually unlock measurable economic growth?
For now, the project has political momentum, public visibility and institutional backing. The real test will be whether cargo volumes, export flows and supporting infrastructure scale fast enough to match the big promises made at commissioning.
FAQ: Tunde Lemo and Gateway International Airport
1. Who is Tunde Lemo?
Tunde Lemo is a Nigerian banker and economist who previously served as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He is also a prominent APC figure in Ogun State and has been reported as a 2027 governorship aspirant in the state.
2. Why is Tunde Lemo trending?
Tunde Lemo is trending because he said the newly commissioned Gateway International Airport in Ogun State could significantly boost the state’s GDP and internally generated revenue (IGR), calling it a transformative project.
3. What did Tunde Lemo say about Ogun’s Gateway International Airport?
He said the airport is a “transformative project” capable of creating jobs, boosting commerce, strengthening exports and positioning Ogun as a strategic investment hub. He also predicted it could help make Ogun one of the top three IGR states in Nigeria within five years if sustained.
4. Where is Gateway International Airport located?
The airport is located in Iperu-Remo / Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State, and is commonly referred to as the Gateway International Airport.
5. Is Gateway International Airport a cargo airport or passenger airport?
It is designed for both passenger and cargo operations. Passenger flight operations began in October 2025, while the state has also been actively preparing for expanded cargo operations, especially for exports and logistics.
6. When did President Tinubu commission the airport?
President Bola Tinubu officially commissioned the Gateway International Airport on April 4, 2026, during a visit to Ogun State where he also inaugurated other infrastructure projects.
7. How can the airport boost Ogun State’s GDP?
The airport could boost Ogun’s GDP by improving cargo logistics, agricultural exports, industrial supply chains, investor access, job creation and trade efficiency. Better movement of goods can reduce costs and attract more businesses to the state. This is the core of Lemo’s argument and the state government’s economic pitch.
8. Can Gateway International Airport increase Ogun’s IGR?
Potentially, yes. Increased business activity around cargo handling, aviation services, warehousing, customs, exports, transportation and industrial clustering could raise government revenue through taxes, fees and related economic activity. Lemo specifically said it could push Ogun into the top three states for IGR if the project succeeds.
9. What facilities does the airport have?
According to reports, the airport features a nearly 4km runway, a modern control tower, advanced aviation systems and cargo-handling infrastructure. It is also linked to other aviation and customs support facilities.
10. Is Tunde Lemo using this project to build political momentum?
That is a fair question many readers are asking. While his comments were framed as an economic assessment, Lemo is also an APC governorship aspirant for 2027 in Ogun State, which means his support for the airport project and public praise for Tinubu and Abiodun also carries political significance.