Ogun State says it is raising the bar in Nigerian aviation with the installation of a state-of-the-art Category I (CAT I) approach lighting system at Gateway International Airport, positioning the facility among the country’s best-equipped airports.
The strategic upgrade, part of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s aviation master plan, aims to enhance flight safety, enable 24-hour operations, and position the airport as a competitive hub on the global aviation stage.
Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to Governor Abiodun on Media and Strategy, who announced this in a statement says the CAT I lighting system is a critical component in improving visibility for pilots during poor weather conditions and final approach.
“Part of the systems installed includes a Category I (CAT I) approach lighting system, which provides guidance to pilots during inclement weather conditions on final approach to landing,” Akinmade says.
In addition to the CAT I system, the airport now features an array of advanced visual aids including runway elevated end lights, displaced threshold lights, runway edge lights, and Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI). These systems offer pilots vital cues to ensure safe takeoffs and landings, regardless of time or weather.
Akinmade explains that elevated end lights help pilots gauge their distance from the runway’s end, while displaced threshold lights indicate areas not structurally suitable for landing. The PAPI system, a set of colour-coded lights, helps pilots maintain the correct glide path during descent.
“PAPI is a row of coloured lights that, when properly aligned, visually provide glide path information to pilots during approach, helping them maintain the correct rate of descent to the runway touchdown point,” he says.
The Gateway International Airport also now meets Category 9 fire cover standards, enabling it to safely accommodate a broad range of aircraft, including Boeing 747, Boeing 777, and Airbus A380. The facility boasts a 3.4-kilometre runway and an 82,000-square-metre apron, positioning it as a key player in Nigeria’s push for aviation excellence.
Beyond aviation safety and operations, Ogun State is investing in passenger comfort and business travel. Akinmade says the airport now offers VIP lounges and aesthetic business facilities designed to meet the expectations of discerning travellers.
“Several top-notch VIP lounges and other aesthetic infrastructure have been put in place to provide high-quality rest areas with specifically designed spaces for business travellers to continue their work and hold meetings while waiting for their flight,” he says.
With its technical and infrastructural upgrades, Akinmade says the Gateway International Airport is poised to commence scheduled local and international flights, boosting Ogun State’s role in Nigeria’s aviation and economic development landscape.
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