Gateway Airport runway faces scrutiny after Captain Susan Ekpoh describes safety concerns, prompting calls for independent inspection and transparency
Captain Susan Ekpoh, a Nigerian corporate pilot, has publicly criticised the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport runway, describing it as undulating and confidence-shattering, raising fresh safety concerns about one of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s flagship infrastructure projects.
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In a social media post documenting her professional flying experiences across lesser-known Nigerian airports, Captain Ekpoh stated that the Gateway Airport runway rises and dips unevenly rather than maintaining the consistent gradient required under international aviation standards.
She said landing at the facility “tests your technique” and “shatters your confidence” as a pilot.
The airport, located in Illisan-Remo, received its Interim Aerodrome Operational Permit from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in August 2025 and commenced commercial operations in October 2025.
At launch, the facility was widely reported to have cost $800 million, although the Ogun State Government has not released a fully audited cost breakdown or independently verified financial statement.
Official promotional materials describe the airport as featuring a four-kilometre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft, Category 1 approach lighting, Precision Approach Path Indicators, Doppler VOR/DME navigation systems, and an 82,000-square-metre apron.
A joint team from the NCAA, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) reportedly inspected the facility in December 2024 and described its infrastructure as among the best in West Africa.
Captain Ekpoh’s assessment presents a stark contrast to those endorsements. In professional aviation terminology, a runway that “tests technique” suggests operational unpredictability in what should be a precisely controlled environment.
Her remarks have triggered broader questions about regulatory oversight and infrastructure standards. Observers have called for clarity from the NCAA, NAMA and NiMet on how a runway alleged to undulate significantly met certification requirements.
The financial dimension has also drawn scrutiny. While the $800 million figure has circulated in public discourse, no comprehensive, publicly available audit has detailed the project’s final cost or line-by-line expenditure.
Analysts argue that given the scale of public funds reportedly committed to the project, an independent and internationally accredited runway inspection could help restore confidence and ensure compliance with global aviation safety benchmarks.
Captain Ekpoh’s commentary, made in the course of documenting her professional experiences flying into airports such as Damaturu, Dutse, Minna and Jalingo, has placed the Gateway Airport runway at the centre of a critical conversation about infrastructure quality, regulatory diligence and public accountability.
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As of press time, neither the Ogun State Government nor the aviation regulatory agencies had issued a formal response to the pilot’s observations.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
