The Lagos State Government is expected to begin construction of the proposed Epe International Airport in 2027, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said, describing the project as a major step in the development of the Lekki-Epe corridor.
The party said the announcement was made by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the Lagos East APC governorship election campaign flag-off in Epe.
It added that the state’s Deputy Governor and APC governorship candidate, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, had also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the project, saying the necessary groundwork and documentation had been advanced.
In a statement signed by the Lagos APC spokesperson, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, the party described the proposed airport as part of a wider economic development plan for Epe and the Lekki-Epe axis.
The APC said the project was conceived as part of a long-term vision to position the corridor as an investment, industrial, commercial and economic hub.
It credited successive Lagos administrations with laying the groundwork for the area's transformation, beginning with the administration of President Bola Tinubu when he was governor of the state.
According to the party, Tinubu’s administration initiated strategic plans that provided a foundation for the Lekki Free Trade Zone, land allocation for the Dangote Refinery and wider industrial development along the corridor.
The statement also recognised former Governor Babatunde Fashola for sustaining infrastructure development and improving connectivity in the area.
It credited former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode with advancing the proposed airport project through strategic planning, preparatory initiatives and its inclusion in the broader Epe development master plan.
The APC said the current administration of Sanwo-Olu had continued the development agenda through investments including the Lekki Deep Sea Port and Lagos Coastal Road.
It described the proposed airport as a complementary part of an emerging economic network involving the refinery, free trade zone, seaport and road infrastructure.
The party said the airport, when completed, would improve connectivity, support international trade and tourism, attract investments and create employment opportunities.
It also said the facility would provide aviation infrastructure for the growing industrial and logistics activities in the Lekki-Epe corridor.
The APC welcomed what it described as a shared commitment by Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat to move the project from planning to implementation.
The party also suggested that the airport should be named after Tinubu, saying it would recognise his contribution to the original development vision for the area.
For residents of Epe Division, the APC said the project represented an opportunity to expand economic activities beyond the area's traditional agricultural and fishing sectors.
It said the government would need to ensure that major infrastructure investments translated into local benefits, including jobs, business opportunities, skills development and improved infrastructure.
The party further argued that the development of Epe and the wider Lagos East axis would feature prominently in discussions about governance and the state's future ahead of the 2027 elections.
It said successive administrations had contributed to the area's development and urged continuity in government policies and projects.
The statement commended Tinubu, Fashola, Ambode and Sanwo-Olu for their respective contributions, while acknowledging Hamzat’s commitment to sustaining the development agenda.
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