Tinubu: I never dreamed I’d commission Attah Airport
President Bola Tinubu has described his visit to Akwa Ibom State as a homecoming, recalling his days as a Mobil auditor and expressing surprise that he would one day return as Nigeria’s president to commission an airport named after a former colleague.
Tinubu spoke on Friday during the inauguration of the new terminal at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, where he also formally flagged off international flight operations.
Reflecting on his earlier association with the state, the President recalled his involvement in the development of Ibeno and Eket while working with Mobil.
“This is a homecoming for me. I was here in Akwa Ibom as a Mobil auditor. We built Ibeno, developed Eket, and did what we had to do,” Tinubu said.
“I never dreamed that I would become president to commission an airport named after my then-colleague governor (Victor Attah).”
The President also praised Senate President Godswill Akpabio for his leadership of the National Assembly, describing him as an effective parliamentary leader.
“I must single out our very able, respected Senate President who has navigated the affairs of the parliament in the country very effectively,” he said.
Tinubu arrived in Akwa Ibom earlier on Friday after departing Abuja for a two-state working visit covering Akwa Ibom and Rivers.
The visit includes the inauguration of major infrastructure projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration and political engagements ahead of the 2027 general election.
At the Victor Attah International Airport, the projects listed for inauguration include the new International Terminal Building, International Airport Hospital and Ibom Aviation Village.
The airport had commenced international flight operations in May 2026, when Ibom Air operated an inaugural service from Uyo to Accra, Ghana.
Other projects on the President’s itinerary include the Airport-Okopedi Road, which passes through Nsit Atai and Okobo Local Government Areas, and Ring Road 3, linking Idoro Road to Ikot Ekpene Road through Uyo and Ibiono Ibom.
The AKWA-GIS Office Complex, Command and Control Centre and ARISE Palm Resort are also among the projects scheduled for commissioning.
Ahead of the visit, Governor Eno declared Friday a work-free day to enable residents to participate in activities organised to receive the President.
The governor also announced plans for a political rally in support of Tinubu’s re-election bid.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu will proceed to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday to attend an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally.
The Rivers event is expected to be the President’s third campaign rally since he formally launched his re-election campaign in Kaduna State in October.