By TheDailyNewsHub
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has called for a stronger partnership between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the state government to improve flight efficiency, upgrade airport facilities and enhance passenger experience at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar.
Otu made the call on Wednesday in Calabar when the Governing Board of FAAN, led by its Chairman and former Kano State Governor, Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, paid a courtesy visit to the governor.
The governor said the collaboration had become particularly important as Cross River prepares to host the 6th African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) Investment Conference from November 12 to 14, 2026.
According to Otu, the conference is expected to attract visitors from about 19 African countries, with the overall number of guests associated with the conference and other forthcoming engagements potentially reaching about 2,000.
He said the expected increase in passenger traffic made it necessary for the state and FAAN to immediately strengthen airport facilities and operations to ensure a smooth experience for visitors.
“We need to scale up our facilities and operations because we are expecting a lot of people,” Otu said, stressing that airport infrastructure must correspond with the number and profile of visitors expected in the state.
The governor specifically called for the immediate activation and upgrading of the airport’s VIP International Lounge to international standards, noting that the facility would be important for receiving high-ranking officials and international visitors.
Otu described the airport as the gateway to Cross River and an important part of the state’s tourism and investment infrastructure.
“For us, the airport is the gateway to Cross River,” he said, adding that it was the first point of contact for many visitors and should reflect the state’s reputation for tourism and hospitality.
Beyond infrastructure, the governor also called for stronger security arrangements at the airport, including closer coordination between FAAN, the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies.
He urged authorities to address challenges affecting ongoing airport-related projects and ensure that necessary work was completed within the required timeframe ahead of the conference.
Otu also stressed that the proposed cooperation should extend beyond the AfSNET conference, describing the engagement with FAAN as the beginning of a sustainable relationship aimed at improving aviation infrastructure and services in Cross River.
“We want to work with FAAN in a way that will ensure that Cross River’s aviation infrastructure continues to improve and that passengers and visitors have a better experience,” he said.
He said the state was prepared to collaborate with FAAN in areas including infrastructure, passenger services, security, technology and operational efficiency, noting that an efficient airport would support Cross River’s broader ambitions in tourism, trade and investment.
Responding, Ganduje assured the governor of FAAN’s readiness to work with the Cross River State Government to improve airport operations and passenger experience.
He said the purpose of the FAAN board’s visit was to strengthen the relationship between the authority and the state and identify areas where both sides could collaborate to improve aviation services.
The development comes as Cross River positions itself to host a major international gathering while seeking to strengthen its reputation as a tourism, investment and economic diplomacy destination.
With thousands of visitors expected in the coming months, attention is now turning to whether the planned airport improvements and operational measures can be delivered in time to meet the demands of the increased traffic.
TheDailyNewsHub will continue to monitor developments surrounding the planned upgrade of the Margaret Ekpo International Airport and preparations for the AfSNET Investment Conference.