Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has taken a major step towards setting up a state-owned airline after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with China Express Airline Co. Ltd and KDN Aero on Wednesday.
The governor signed the agreement at the Government House in Benin City, alongside representatives of the Chinese airline led by its President, Shansheng Li. The signing followed a presentation on the company’s operational capacity.
Okpebholo said the carrier would begin operations “very soon.”
He expressed satisfaction with the proposed partnership and described the MoU as the start of a longer relationship. “We have signed the MoU, and this is the first part of it. We will continue to build on it.
“A presentation was made, which was very beautiful and wonderful. We have seen your capability, and we are ready to do business with you. By the grace of God, Edo Air will be in the airspace very soon. So, we are in partnership with you.”
The Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, explained that the agreement followed a fact-finding trip to China on September 14, 2026. A seven-man delegation, approved by the governor, made the trip to meet potential technical and operational partners for the proposed airline.
Ikhilor led the delegation, which included the Head of Service, Dr Anthony Okungbowa; the Accountant-General, Julius Anelu; and the Chief Aviation Consultant to the Edo State Government, Captain Nuhu Musa. Other government officials and aviation experts were also part of the team.
He said the delegation visited China Express Airline and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the country’s major aircraft manufacturer. The aim was to assess their capabilities and explore areas of cooperation.
Ikhilor said that of the two organisations, China Express left a stronger impression on the delegation. At the airline’s headquarters, the team toured its flight-monitoring operations.
According to him, the situation room had a giant screen tracking flights across China. By 10 am on the day of the visit, 192 flights had already been logged.
The SSG said the facilities inspected and the discussions with the airline’s management convinced the delegation that China Express was a suitable technical and operational partner for Edo Air.
He expressed hope that the MoU and further engagements would lay the foundation for concrete steps towards realising the governor’s plan to establish an Edo-owned airline.
At the Government House event, Li presented the governor with a model aircraft. The Managing Director of KDN Aero, Tianzhi Chen, spoke on behalf of the Chinese delegation and took the audience through the airline’s operations and capabilities.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa; the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor; the Head of Service, Dr Anthony Okungbowa; the Chief of Staff, Hon. Yakubu Musa; and the Commissioner for Finance, Emmanuel Okoebor. Other government officials were also present.
