Governor Otu seeks Ganduje’s collaboration to boost airport ahead 2026 AfSNET conference

Cross River state Governor, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has appealed  for the collaboration of the Governing  Board Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for the speedy upgrade and rehabilitation of Margaret Ekpo International Airport, ahead the 6the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network-Investment Conference (AfSNET), holding in Calabar by November.

A Statement by Dr.Ganduje’s Chief of Staff, Comrade Muhammad Garba, indicated that Governor Edet Otu made the appeal, on Wednesday, in Calabar, when Dr. Ganduje led the FAAN’s Governing  Board members on a courtesy visit to the Governor.

Dr. Ganduje and his team were in Calabar to inspect the  ongoing upgrades at Margaret Ekpo International Airport.

The  FAAN’s Governing Board Chairman, Dr. Ganduje, was accompanied by  FAAN’s Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, and members of the FAAN Board and management.

Governor Edet Otu, reiterated the need for the timely boosting and  upgrading of facilities that would revive the capacity of the Margret Ekpo International Airport ahead of the AfSNET 2026.

Dr. Ganduje, however, assured Governor Edet Otu that the FAAN Governing Board, has put every measure in place toward ensuring that the ongoing upgrade of the airport is completed in good time.

“That is why we are here. We are ready to collaborate with you. We are inspecting facilities at the airport so as to ensure their quality.

“We want to also assure you that ongoing work at the airport will be completed within the stipulated time,” Ganduje said.

The Margret Ekpo International Airport is being upgraded from
runway rehabilitation to a new 500KVA solar power system and terminal improvement plans, among other modern facility installations.

The visit reaffirmed FAAN’s commitment to stronger partnerships, sustainable infrastructure, and a better passenger experience across Nigeria’s airports.

However, the 6th AfSNET – African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network– Investment Conference convenes Africa’s leading sub-sovereign governments, financial institutions, investors, business and development partners to unlock trade, mobilise investment and accelerate sustainable economic growth.

It is an Afreximbank initiative, being hosted by the Government of Cross River State, in partnership with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Across three days in Calabar, the Conference will focus on how states, provinces, regions and other sub-sovereign governments can mobilise investment, accelerate industrialisation, deliver bankable infrastructure projects , build stronger regional value chains and catalyse development ambitions through trade and investment.