Kwara State continues to attract major players in Nigeria’s aviation sector, as United Nigeria Airlines has announced the launch of direct flights to Ilorin from Lagos and Abuja, beginning December 5, 2025.
This development comes barely a month after UmzaAir unveiled its readiness to commence flight operations between Ilorin and Abuja, an indicator of the growing confidence airlines now place in Kwara State under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
According to Akeweje Olayinka Fafoluyi, Senior Special Assistant, New Media to the Governor, United Nigeria Airlines’ decision to add the Lagos–Abuja–Ilorin route to its network has been widely linked to the Governor’s aggressive infrastructural renewal, improved ease of doing business, and the steady expansion of the state’s economy.
Industry analysts say these factors have made Kwara increasingly attractive to investors and service operators.
The new flight services will operate from Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, two of the country’s busiest aviation hubs, directly to the upgraded General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin.
The development is expected to boost connectivity, ease travel burdens, attract more investors, stimulate economic activities, and further position Kwara as a strategic regional hub.
The announcement has been met with excitement from residents and travellers within and around Kwara, many of whom have long anticipated more affordable and reliable Ilorin–Lagos–Abuja flight options.
They also praised Governor AbdulRazaq for the infrastructural advancements that have enhanced the state’s appeal to operators in the aviation industry.
Aviation experts observe that the growing interest in the Ilorin route signals a broader transformation of Kwara into a rising commercial and travel centre.
With more airlines expected to join the route soon, the state appears firmly on the path to becoming a major gateway for trade, tourism, and regional integration, the SSA said.
