Sanwo-Olu Announces 2027 Takeoff For Epe International Airport As Lagos East Gets New Economic Gateway
Sanwo-Olu Announces 2027 Takeoff For Epe International Airport As Lagos East Gets New Economic Gateway
By Prestige Real Estate News | November 15, 2026
Lagos is about to change again.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that construction of the long-awaited Epe International Airport will begin in 2027.
The announcement was made during the Lagos East APC governorship election campaign flag-off in Epe, and it immediately became the biggest talking point of the event.
For years, the Epe International Airport has been discussed as a dream. Now, the Lagos State Government says it is ready to move from paper to site.
2027 Is The Year Construction Begins
According to the All Progressives Congress, APC, the Lagos State Government is expected to begin construction of the proposed airport in 2027.
In a statement signed by the Lagos APC spokesperson, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, the party described the project as a major step in the development of the Lekki-Epe corridor.
Sanwo-Olu told supporters at the flag-off that the airport is no longer just an idea. It is part of the next phase of Lagos development.
The Deputy Governor and APC governorship candidate, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, also spoke at the event. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the project and said the necessary groundwork and documentation had been advanced.
Hamzat assured residents that the government is determined to deliver the airport.
A New Economic Gateway For Lagos East
The APC says the Epe International Airport is not just about flights. It is about jobs, business, trade, and positioning Lagos East as a global economic zone.
The airport is part of a wider economic development plan for Epe and the Lekki-Epe axis.
When completed, it will join a growing network of mega projects in the corridor. That network already includes the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the Dangote Refinery, and the Lagos Coastal Road.
Together, the APC says, these projects will turn the corridor into an investment, industrial, commercial and economic hub.
The party said the airport will improve connectivity, support international trade and tourism, attract foreign and local investors, and create thousands of employment opportunities.
It will also provide aviation infrastructure for the growing industrial and logistics activities in the area.
For Epe residents, the airport could mean a shift from a largely agricultural and fishing economy to a more diverse economy with new business opportunities.
The APC said the government must ensure that major infrastructure investments translate into real local benefits, including jobs, business opportunities, skills development and improved infrastructure.
From Tinubu To Sanwo-Olu: How The Vision Was Built
The APC traced the development of the Lekki-Epe corridor to successive Lagos administrations.
It credited President Bola Tinubu, during his time as Lagos governor, with initiating the strategic plans that laid the foundation for the corridor. Those plans included the Lekki Free Trade Zone, land allocation for the Dangote Refinery, and wider industrial development along the corridor.
Former Governor Babatunde Fashola was recognised for sustaining infrastructure development and improving connectivity in the area.
Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was credited with advancing the proposed airport project through strategic planning, preparatory initiatives and its inclusion in the broader Epe development master plan.
Governor Sanwo-Olu was credited with continuing the agenda through investments including the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Lagos Coastal Road.
The party commended Tinubu, Fashola, Ambode and Sanwo-Olu for their contributions, while acknowledging Hamzat’s commitment to sustaining the development agenda.
APC Proposes Airport Be Named After Tinubu
In a move that has already sparked debate, the APC suggested that the airport should be named after Tinubu.
The party said naming the airport after Tinubu would recognise his contribution to the original development vision for the area.
Supporters say Tinubu deserves the honour for opening up the corridor. Critics say the decision should be left until the project is completed.
Mixed Reactions From Lagosians
The announcement has divided opinion.
Many residents of Lagos East welcomed the news. One resident from Lekki described it as a fantastic development which will go a long way to further develop and position Lagos among the greatest cities in the world.
Another resident in Lagos described it as a very laudable initiative.
But not everyone is convinced.
A resident from Abeokuta said the project is a waste of resources. He argued that the land in Epe can be used for agriculture value chain and that food security is essential. He described the airport as a white elephant project.
The debate reflects a bigger question in Lagos: should the state keep building mega infrastructure, or focus more on food, housing, and basic services?
Politics And 2027 Elections
The APC said the development of Epe and the wider Lagos East axis will feature prominently in discussions about governance and the state’s future ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party urged continuity in government policies and projects, arguing that only sustained leadership can deliver long-term projects like the airport.
For Hamzat, who is the APC governorship candidate, the airport is now a central promise. If elected, he will be expected to deliver it.
What Happens Next
For now, the government has not released the full cost, contractor, or exact timeline for completion. What is clear is that 2027 is being presented as the year construction begins.
Residents will be watching to see if groundwork moves from announcements to actual construction equipment on site.
Do you believe Epe International Airport will be built in 2027?
Will it create jobs for Epe people or only benefit big investors? Should it be named after Tinubu?
Drop your opinion in the comments. Share this story with someone from Lagos East.
