The Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah on Wednesday flagged off the first international flight by Enugu Air to Douala, Cameroon.
Speaking at a brief ceremony at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, Governor Mbah revealed that the rapid growth and achievements of the state-owned airline so far are not an isolated story but part of a bigger plan to connect the dots as his administration strives to grow Enugu State into a $30 billion economy.
“Months ago, right here, we watched Enugu take to the skies. Barely six months after a rigorous regulatory process, Enugu Air obtained its Air Operator’s License. This is not a mean feat.”
“Today, 14 months later, we can see that dream flying beyond our expectations, as Enugu Air is one of the fastest-growing airlines in Nigeria, without a doubt.”
“But we did not conceive of Enugu Air as a bragging right or because of the clamor, or to gain some political acclaim. Enugu Air is part of the master plan to make Enugu State the premier destination for investment, living, business, and tourism. For us, Enugu Air is part of connecting the dots,” Mbah posits.
The Enugu State Governor further described Enugu Air as a campaign promise kept, saying the Enugu–Douala service was the beginning of many more international flight operations to destinations around the world.
“What you are seeing here today is performance above promises. So, we ask you to judge us by the things we have promised and have delivered to you.”
“Besides, today is Douala, but I am hoping tomorrow, we are not only going to be talking about the continent of Africa, but we will also be talking about Enugu to the world,” Mbah promised.
Governor Mbah further lauded the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, for his support in making this dream a reality.
Mbah also commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerodrome Development, Festus Keyama, SAN; the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for supporting Enugu Air’s growth and making Nigeria a standard bearer in the African aviation industry.
In his speech at the event, the Enugu Air CEO, Capt. Tolu Ita said Enugu Air was not merely launching a flight but a new chapter.
“This is a chapter in which Enugu is no longer simply where a journey begins or ends. Enugu is becoming a gateway. Today, much bigger than an aircraft will be moving across our skies; opportunity will be moving, business will be moving, People will be moving, Ideas will be moving, and Enugu will be moving with them. This is what makes today so significant.”
“Enugu Air was never built with the vision to simply put aircraft in the sky. The vision was to build an airline that connects people, connects markets and connects possibilities,” Capt. Tolu Ita reiterates.
Going down memory lane, the Enugu Air boss said, “We began by strengthening our domestic network — connecting Enugu with Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Owerri, Asaba, Benin City, and Warri. Today, we take our first major step beyond Nigeria-Enugu to Douala, Nigeria, to Cameroon, the South East to Central Africa. And this is only the beginning.”
“Our ambition is to continue building a stronger regional network across Africa, while progressively opening the door to wider international markets,” she said.
In her goodwill message, the Managing Director/CEO of the FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku, represented by Mrs. Onyeka Udenze, DG FAAN, said Enugu Air’s inaugural international flight is a strong statement of Nigeria’s growing capacity to connect people and businesses across West and Central Africa.”
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, said the new service to Douala marked a monumental leap forward in the state’s trade, investment, and economic integration strategy.
“For decades, the vibrant traders, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs of Enugu and the broader region have navigated complex transit routes to access Central African markets.”
“Today, that barrier is dismantled. This direct link directly advances our goal of transforming Enugu State into a premier regional hub for commerce and industrial development. We are now effectively bridging markets, shortening supply chains, and unlocking unprecedented opportunities for cross-border commerce across Central and West Africa,” Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo said.
The Republic of Cameroon is a country in Central Africa. It shares boundaries with Nigeria to the west and north, Chad to the northeast, the Central African Republic to the east, and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south.
The only major commercial airport serving Douala, Cameroon, is Douala International Airport, situated about 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Douala’s city center in the Littoral Region. It is operated and managed by Aéroports du Cameroun (ADC).
- Gov. Mbah Flags Off Enugu Air’s First International Flight to Douala - September 24, 2026
- Man Murders Girlfriend, Hide Her Remains In Toilet In Enugu - September 24, 2026
- FG Inaugurates NHTDAO Steering Committee To Drive Patient-Centered Digital Health - September 19, 2026