The Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo Airport, located in Ezza North and Ezza South LGAs of Ebonyi State, has become one of the most controversial public infrastructure projects in recent memory. Initiated by former Governor David Umahi and said to have cost over ₦42 billion, the airport was unveiled with much fanfare just weeks before his exit from office. Yet, years later, the facility is still far from achieving full commercial flight operations.
From the onset, the airport has faced structural and operational challenges. The initial runway was constructed with concrete—a material unsuitable for modern aircraft landings—forcing the current administration under Governor Francis Nwifuru to spend over ₦20 billion on its rehabilitation. While temporary flights occasionally land, full commercial operations remain on hold.
Adding to the controversy is the leaking terminal building. Governor Nwifuru recently revealed that the roof, done with materials from Alo Aluminum, is failing and will require a ₦2 billion re-roofing project. He stated that while no contractor is being directly blamed, the flat concrete decking and poorly integrated drainage are behind the persistent leakages.
Despite assurances that technical upgrades are ongoing—including lighting, tower installation, and staff certification—critics argue the airport was ill-conceived from the beginning. A chieftain of the opposition PDP in the state, Moses Idika, described the entire project as a “fraud,” alleging that construction began without proper consultation or regulatory clearance.
The airport’s proximity to Enugu’s Akanu Ibiam International Airport—less than an hour’s drive away—has also raised eyebrows. Many see it as an unnecessary luxury in a state battling high poverty and a massive debt burden. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Ebonyi has the highest poverty rate in southern Nigeria, with 80% of its estimated 4 million residents living in poverty.
While the Ebonyi State government maintains that the airport will soon become fully operational and even “one of the best in the country,” the Chuba Okadigbo Airport continues to attract more questions than answers.
