Soludo’s Aide Defends Aerotropolis, Says Project Will Drive Anambra’s Industrial Growth

By Mary Obi

Governor Charles Soludo’s media aide, Daniel Ezeigwe, has defended the Anambra State Government’s proposed Aerotropolis project at the New Anambra Industrial Park, describing it as a long-term economic development initiative rather than the construction of another airport.

In a statement, Ezeigwe said public criticism of the project stemmed from a misunderstanding of its purpose, arguing that the proposed Aerotropolis is designed as an airport-centred economic hub that would attract industries, logistics firms, manufacturers, technology companies and export-oriented businesses.

He said the project should not be viewed simply as an expansion of aviation infrastructure but as a strategic investment aimed at driving industrialisation, trade and regional economic growth.

Drawing a parallel with Governor Soludo’s tenure as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Ezeigwe recalled the 2004 banking consolidation reforms, which raised the minimum capital requirement for banks from ₦2 billion to ₦25 billion.

According to him, the policy faced stiff opposition from stakeholders who considered it unrealistic but later transformed Nigeria’s banking sector by producing stronger financial institutions through mergers and acquisitions.

Ezeigwe argued that critics comparing the proposed Aerotropolis with the existing Chinua Achebe International Cargo Airport misunderstood the concept, describing an aerotropolis as an integrated economic city built around an airport.

He said similar developments around the world have evolved into centres for manufacturing, agro-processing, logistics, pharmaceuticals, technology, hospitality, finance and export processing, generating employment and stimulating economic activities beyond aviation.

The governor’s aide also cited projects undertaken by the Soludo administration, including the Solution Fun City and the Light House, as examples of initiatives that initially attracted criticism but later gained public acceptance.

He maintained that the proposed Aerotropolis would complement the Chinua Achebe International Cargo Airport by supporting industries that rely on efficient transportation and logistics.

According to Ezeigwe, the project could facilitate faster export of agricultural produce through modern cold-chain logistics, improve access to international markets for manufacturers, particularly in Nnewi, and attract investment from pharmaceutical companies, technology firms, research institutions, warehouses, hotels and conference centres.

He added that the development would also serve businesses across the South-East, including those in Aba, Onitsha, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states, strengthening the region’s position as an industrial and logistics hub.

Ezeigwe said the Soludo administration remained committed to delivering infrastructure projects with long-term economic benefits, insisting that the proposed Aerotropolis forms part of the government’s strategy to position Anambra for sustained industrial and commercial growth.