Barely four years after the inauguration of the Chinua Achebe International Cargo Airport in Umueri, the Anambra State Government has announced plans to construct a second airport, this time in Ndikelionwu, located in Orumba North Local Government Area.
The new airport is part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s broader vision to transform Anambra into a smart megacity, driven by innovation, infrastructure and investment.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the proposed site, Mr. Martins Nwafor, Managing Director of the Chinua Achebe Cargo Airport and chairman of the newly formed Airport and Aerotropolis Committee, said the project would not only expand Anambra’s aviation capacity but also integrate it into a larger aerotropolis model.
“We are envisioning an airport-driven city that combines aviation infrastructure with commercial, residential and logistics zones. This project will unlock massive economic opportunities and fast-track Anambra’s industrialisation,” said Nwafor.
The state’s first airport project, located in Umueri, was launched on April 11, 2017 and completed in three years under the administration of former Governor Willie Obiano, who inaugurated it on October 30, 2021.
Now, with a second airport in the pipeline, the state seeks to position itself as a strategic transport and investment hub in southeastern Nigeria.
During the site inspection, geologists and geophysicists from the Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited conducted assessments to determine a suitable location for construction.
Also present were key government officials including Prof. Charles Ofoegbu, MD, Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company, AVM Ben Chiobi (Rtd.), SSA to the Governor on Security and Mr. Chukwudi Ezenwa, architect and founder of Sliding Towers.
Leaders of the host community in Ndikelionwu expressed appreciation for the government’s decision to site such a transformative project in their area.
Former President-General of the Ndikelionwu Welfare Association, Fabian Nwosu, along with Vice President Ifesinachi Onwurah, pledged the community’s full support and cooperation.
“This project brings hope to our people. The job opportunities and economic activity it will attract are beyond measure,” Nwosu said.
According to the state government, the second airport will be more than a transport terminal, it will serve as the nucleus of an industrial park and logistics ecosystem designed to attract foreign and local investment.
“This isn’t just about flights and runways,” Nwafor emphasized.
“It’s about building an economic corridor that can power the future of Anambra.”
