AfSNET 2026: Ganduje, Otu move to upgrade Calabar airport

By Umar Idris Shuaibu, Kano

The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has assured the Cross River State Government of the authority’s readiness to strengthen collaboration aimed at improving operations and passenger experience at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar.

Ganduje gave the assurance when he led members of the FAAN Governing Board and management, including the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, on a courtesy visit to the Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, in Calabar.

The visit was part of the FAAN delegation’s facility inspection of ongoing upgrades at the airport, including runway rehabilitation, installation of a new 500KVA solar power system and plans to improve the terminal facilities.

Ganduje said the engagement was designed to deepen the relationship between FAAN and the Cross River State Government while identifying areas where both institutions could work together to improve aviation services in the state.

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He described Cross River as one of Africa’s beautiful and clean destinations, stressing that the state’s growing tourism profile made an efficient and modern airport essential to its development.

“Cross River is one of the beautiful and cleanest destinations in Africa,” Ganduje said.

“If the state is attracting tourists, investors and international visitors, then the airport facilities must also be improved to support that development.”

He assured the governor that FAAN would continue to work with the state government to strengthen airport infrastructure, operational efficiency and passenger services.

Responding, Governor Otu called for a stronger and more strategic partnership between FAAN and the Cross River State Government, particularly as the state prepares to host the 6th African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) Investment Conference.

The conference, scheduled for November 12 to 14, 2026, is expected to attract participants from across Africa and the Caribbean, placing Cross River at the centre of a major international investment and economic diplomacy engagement.

Otu said the growing profile of Cross River as a tourism, investment and diplomatic destination required corresponding improvements in its aviation infrastructure.

He said the state was expecting visitors from about 19 African countries, with the overall number of guests connected to the forthcoming engagements projected at about 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,” the governor said.

He stressed the need 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 passenger traffic and dignitaries.

“We need to scale up our facilities and operations because we are expecting a lot of people,” Otu 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.”

The governor particularly called for the immediate activation and upgrading of the airport’s VIP International Lounge to a standard capable of accommodating international visitors and high-ranking dignitaries.

“We need the VIP International Lounge to be activated and upgraded,” he said. “We must have facilities that can meet international standards, particularly because of the kind of visitors we are expecting.”

Otu described the airport as the gateway to Cross River and an important component of the state’s tourism and investment infrastructure.

“For us, the airport is the gateway to Cross River,” he 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.”

The governor also called for stronger security coordination at the airport, particularly through closer collaboration between 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 further urged FAAN and other stakeholders to resolve challenges affecting ongoing airport projects and ensure their timely completion ahead of the conference.

“We need to look at whatever challenges we have and address them immediately,” he said. “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 stressed that the engagement should go beyond preparations for AfSNET 2026, describing the meeting as the beginning of a sustained institutional partnership between Cross River and FAAN.

“This will not be the end, because we are going to build a sustainable relationship,” Otu said.

The governor said the state was ready to collaborate with FAAN in aviation infrastructure, passenger services, security, technology and operational efficiency.

He expressed confidence that stronger cooperation would support the successful hosting of AfSNET 2026 while contributing to the long-term growth of tourism, trade and investment in Cross River.

“Our interest is to make sure that anybody who comes into Cross River through the airport has a good experience,” Otu said.

He added that the state’s expanding economic activities and renewed focus on tourism and investment required an aviation system capable of responding to emerging opportunities.

The governor therefore urged FAAN to regard Cross River as a partner in airport development and assured the authority of the state government’s readiness to support initiatives within its areas of responsibility.

The FAAN delegation subsequently inspected ongoing upgrades at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport as part of efforts to assess infrastructure and operational needs at the facility.