Ogun Cargo Airport Submerged in Flood, Residents Question Integrity of Project

A major access road leading to Governor Dapo Abiodun’s recently commissioned Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, was submerged on Friday following a torrential downpour, cutting off movement and sparking outrage over the state of supporting infrastructure around the multibillion-naira project.

A viral video obtained by TheCityPulse shows stranded motorists wading through deep floodwaters on the newly constructed corridor connecting the airport to the Sagamu–Benin expressway. The scene has raised serious questions about drainage planning, project execution, and the long-term sustainability of the high-profile cargo airport touted as a game-changer for Ogun’s economy.

The Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport is strategically situated in the Ilishan-Iperu axis of Ogun State. The facility is equipped with advanced technology and features a 4-kilometre runway, making it capable of accommodating large aircraft, including Boeing 777s and Airbus 330s. The aircraft parking area has been designed with the capacity to hold up to 20 aircraft simultaneously, positioning it as a major logistics hub for the region.

Commissioned with much fanfare and reportedly 97% complete, the Gateway Cargo Airport has been positioned as one of the most ambitious aviation projects in sub-Saharan Africa, boasting the longest runway in Nigeria, a state-of-the-art fire station, a modern control tower, and a comprehensive agro-processing zone.

However, Friday’s devastating flood has exposed critical lapses in infrastructural foresight and planning. Despite recent warnings issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Ogun State government about potential flooding in areas including Sagamu, Iperu, and Ota, there appears to have been no adequate mitigation measures implemented around key access routes to the airport.

“This is unacceptable for a project of this magnitude. Accessibility to such a critical facility should not be this vulnerable,” said an industry analyst, emphasising that logistics operations depend heavily on 24/7 ground access, especially during rainy seasons when cargo movement is most crucial.

There is now palpable fear amongst professional stakeholders on the ground regarding the structural integrity of the airport runway itself. Concerns have been raised about whether there is adequate visible drainage runoff infrastructure positioned on both the left and right sides of the runway, with proper collection main channels strategically placed around the entire airport precinct that would effectively discharge excess water into the nearby Sagamu River.

The absence of visible comprehensive drainage systems has raised alarm bells among aviation experts and engineers who question whether the airport’s core infrastructure can withstand heavy rainfall and flooding scenarios that are becoming increasingly common in the region.

Neither the Ogun State Ministry of Works nor the Airport Development Authority has issued any official statement addressing the flooding incident as of press time. Multiple calls placed to government officials have not been returned, leaving the public and stakeholders without official explanations or remedial action plans.

This silence from authorities has further fueled public frustration and concern about government accountability and transparency in handling infrastructure crises.

Meanwhile, residents and online commentators have slammed the incident as “embarrassing” and “unacceptable,” with many accusing the government of prioritising high-profile ribbon-cutting ceremonies and photo opportunities over the implementation of real, lasting, and functional infrastructure.

One resident, reacting to the viral video footage, expressed his frustration: “This is how a billion-naira dream gets washed away. Who builds an airport road without proper drainage? This is basic engineering.”

The flooding incident represents the latest in a troubling string of complaints about the persistent lack of integrated urban planning in major government projects across the country. For a facility that has been specifically designed and promoted to process tons of agro-cargo on a weekly basis, such severe flooding threatens not just immediate access but also long-term investor confidence and operational reliability.

The implications extend far beyond a single weather event. International cargo operators, potential investors, and logistics companies require assurance of consistent, reliable access to airport facilities regardless of weather conditions. Friday’s flooding has seriously undermined these assurances.

With Ogun State strategically positioning itself as a rising logistics and investment hub within West Africa, industry observers and stakeholders are urgently calling for immediate remedial action, comprehensive drainage construction, and a completely transparent review of all airport infrastructure contracts and implementation processes.

The flooding incident has raised fundamental questions about the planning, execution, and long-term viability of what was meant to be a flagship project for Ogun State’s ambitious economic development aspirations. The Gateway Cargo Airport was designed to serve as a catalyst for regional economic growth, agricultural export facilitation, and job creation.

However, the infrastructure failures exposed by this flooding event threaten to undermine investor confidence and raise serious questions about the state’s capacity to deliver world-class infrastructure projects that can withstand basic environmental challenges.

The incident serves as a stark reminder that successful infrastructure development requires not just ambitious vision and substantial financial investment but also meticulous planning, proper engineering standards, and comprehensive risk management that accounts for local environmental conditions and climate patterns.