Otu urges FAAN to upgrade Cross River airport ahead of AfSNET
September 9, 2026 9:27 pm
Governing Board of FAAN, led by its Chairman and former Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Ganduje during his visit to Cross River Governor Bassey Otu
By Emem Julius
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has called for a stronger and more strategic partnership between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Cross River State Government to enhance flight efficiency, upgrade airport facilities and improve passenger experience ahead of the 6th African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network Investment Conference.
The conference, scheduled for November 12–14, 2026, is expected to attract participants from across Africa and the Caribbean, placing Cross River State at the centre of a major international investment and economic diplomacy engagement.
Governor Otu made the call on Wednesday in Calabar when the Governing Board of FAAN, led by its Chairman and former Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, paid a courtesy visit to him.
The governor described the visit as strategically significant, noting that the growing profile of Cross River as a tourism, investment and diplomatic destination required corresponding improvements in its aviation infrastructure.
He said, “The visit is strategically significant. The state is preparing to receive a significant number of visitors in connection with the AfSNET conference and other forthcoming activities, including the visit of the President”
According to him, visitors from about 19 African countries are expected in Cross River, while the overall number of guests associated with the forthcoming engagements could rise to approximately 2,000.
“We are expecting people from about 19 African countries, and we are looking at almost 2,000 people coming into Cross River State,” Otu said, stressing that such an influx required deliberate preparation and seamless coordination among all relevant agencies”, he added.
The governor said the expected increase in passenger traffic made it imperative for FAAN and the state government to immediately begin preparations to ensure that the Margaret Ekpo International Airport was adequately equipped to handle the anticipated volume of passengers and dignitaries.
“We need to scale up our facilities and operations because we are expecting a lot of people,” he saiD, “We cannot afford to have a situation where the infrastructure does not correspond with the number and quality of visitors that will be coming into the State”, Governor said.
Otu particularly called for the immediate activation and upgrading of the airport’s VIP International Lounge, stressing that the facility should be brought to a standard capable of receiving international visitors and high-ranking dignitaries.
“We need the VIP International Lounge to be activated and upgraded.
“We must have facilities that can meet international standards, particularly because of the kind of visitors we are expecting,” the governor said.
He said the airport was not merely a transportation facility but an important component of the state’s investment and tourism infrastructure, arguing that the first impression visitors receive upon arrival could significantly influence their perception of Cross River.
“For us, the airport is the gateway to Cross River,” Otu said. “It is the first point of contact for many of our visitors, and therefore, it must reflect the standard, beauty and hospitality for which Cross River is known,” he said.
The governor also placed strong emphasis on security, particularly the need to strengthen data and operational security at the airport and ensure closer coordination among FAAN, the Nigerian Air Force and other relevant security agencies.
“We need to strengthen the team by working with the Nigerian Air Force and ensure that the necessary provisions are put in place as soon as possible,” he said.
Otu noted that the anticipated gathering of international visitors and dignitaries required a comprehensive security architecture capable of protecting passengers, visitors and critical aviation infrastructure.
The governor urged FAAN and other stakeholders to address any challenges affecting ongoing airport-related projects, insisting that the state could not afford delays as preparations for the international conference gathered momentum.
“We need to look at whatever challenges we have and address them immediately. We have to ensure that the projects are delivered within the stipulated timeframe because we are working towards a date and that date cannot be shifted for us”, he added.
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