In November 2024, the Osun State government announced plans to relocate the proposed airport from its original site in Ido-Osun to Ede.
The Deputy Governor of Osun, during a radio interview in Osogbo, explained that the decision was made due to the lack of adequate land in Ido-Osun for the construction of a large airport. However, on December 10, 2024, reports surfaced that the federal government had canceled the proposed relocation to Ede.
The reports revealed that the federal aviation authority had stopped the inauguration of the Ede airport project. It was suggested that the decision was influenced by petitions from various groups opposing the relocation of the airport.
In a letter sent to Governor Ademola Adeleke on December 6, 2024, the Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Civil Aviation expressed concerns over limited resources and the potential environmental impact of the proposed relocation. The letter emphasized the importance of prudent management of public funds and resources, prompting the federal government to suspend all activities related to the project.
When contacted by BBC Yoruba, Kolapo Alimi, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Broadcasting, stated that the state government had not received any official notification from the federal government about the cancellation of the Ede airport project. He argued that the federal government had no authority to interfere in the state’s plans, dismissing the reported federal involvement as an attempt to gain federal support for the project.
Alimi added that if a letter had been sent on December 6, 2024, it would likely take until December 13 to arrive. He speculated that the details might have been leaked by those involved in drafting the letter, as the state government had yet to receive any official communication.
