The Ebonyi State Government issued a recruitment announcement in April 2023 directing newly employed staff of the state’s international airport in Ezza to report for deployment to their respective departments. The notice instructed the workers to resume at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 13, 2023, and warned that failure to comply could lead to the loss of their appointment offers.
More than three years later, the airport remains an important part of Ebonyi State’s aviation development plans. However, recent reports show that the process of commencing scheduled commercial passenger flights has involved further infrastructure work, regulatory checks and plans to acquire aircraft.
In September 2026, the state government said it was working to resolve outstanding issues at Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, including repairs to areas affected by heavy rainfall and vandalism. The government also reiterated its intention to acquire aircraft and begin full commercial airline operations after the necessary requirements have been met.
This article reproduces the original 2023 recruitment announcement, explains the background to the airport, and provides the latest available updates as of October 2026. The old recruitment notice is included for historical reference and should not be mistaken for a current job vacancy.
Full Text of the 2023 Ebonyi Airport Recruitment Announcement
In April 2023, the Ebonyi State Government released a special public announcement directing newly recruited employees of Ebonyi State International Airport, Ezza, to report to the facility for departmental deployment and the immediate commencement of their duties.
The notice was issued during the administration of former Governor David Nweze Umahi and signed by Dr Ritamary Okoro, who was the Head of Service at the time.
Below is the full text of the announcement as originally circulated.
SPECIAL PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
His Excellency The Executive Governor of Ebonyi State Engr Chief Dr David Nweze Umahi, FNSE, FNATE, CON, GGCEHF, has directed that all newly recruited staff of Ebonyi State International Airport, Ezza report to the airport by 8am on Thursday 13th April, 2023 for deployment to their various departments and immediate commencement of duties.
Failure to comply with this directive translates to loss of offer of appointment.
All concerned are advised to strictly comply with this directive.
Signed
Dr Ritamary Okoro
Head of Service
What Did the Ebonyi Airport Recruitment Notice Mean?
The announcement was directed at people who had already received appointment offers. It instructed them to report physically to the airport so that they could be assigned to their departments and begin work.
The notice was not a general recruitment advertisement inviting every interested applicant to submit an application. Instead, it was a resumption directive addressed to the newly employed staff covered by the government’s announcement.
The warning about losing an appointment offer also made it important for the affected employees to comply with the stated date and reporting time. Anyone who received an appointment under that exercise would have needed to follow the instructions communicated to them by the relevant authorities.
Airport operations depend on a range of personnel. Depending on the organisational structure and approved staffing requirements, these may include administrative workers, technical staff, security personnel, operations officers, customer service workers and other employees responsible for supporting the airport’s activities.
Recruiting employees is one stage in developing an airport. The facility must also have appropriate infrastructure, operational procedures, trained personnel and the necessary regulatory approvals for the services it intends to provide.
Where Is Chuba Okadigbo International Airport Located?
Chuba Okadigbo International Airport is located at Onueke, in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, southeastern Nigeria. It was developed under the administration of former governor David Umahi as part of the state’s plans to expand transportation infrastructure and improve air connectivity.
The airport is expected to provide another transport option for people travelling to and from Ebonyi State. If scheduled passenger operations become fully established, the facility could support business travel, family visits, tourism, government activities and the movement of other passengers.
It may also create opportunities for employment and businesses that provide services to travellers, airlines and airport operators. Potential beneficiaries could include transport providers, hospitality businesses, food vendors, logistics companies and other service providers. The scale of those benefits, however, will depend on actual airport activity, passenger demand and the sustainability of operations.
For more reporting about government activities, infrastructure and other public developments in the state, readers can visit the Iyierioba News section.
Latest Ebonyi Airport Update for September 2026
One of the most significant recent updates came on September 10, 2026, when Channels Television reported that the Ebonyi State Government was taking further steps to prepare Chuba Okadigbo International Airport for scheduled commercial airline operations.
According to the report, Commissioner for Transport and Aviation Collins Igboke said the airport project was approximately 90 per cent complete. He made the statement following an inspection of the airport involving relevant aviation stakeholders.
The inspection was intended to identify outstanding work and determine what needed to be addressed before the facility could support scheduled commercial passenger services.
The report identified damage associated with heavy rainfall and facilities affected by vandalism among the issues requiring attention. The state government said it would compile the findings and use them to guide further intervention.
The commissioner also reiterated the government’s intention to acquire aircraft and commence commercial airline operations. However, the report made clear that the outstanding works and required regulatory approvals still had to be addressed.
Read the full report from Channels Television on Ebonyi’s plans to acquire aircraft and prepare the airport for commercial flights.
Does the Airport Currently Operate Scheduled Commercial Flights?
As of the latest detailed report reviewed for this article, published on September 10, 2026, the state government was still working towards commencing scheduled commercial passenger operations.
The airport’s general manager, Anazo Kalu, told Channels Television that some facilities, including air traffic control equipment and elevators, were operational, while a temporary control tower was being used for interim air services. He said the airport would require a final verification exercise by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority after the remaining technical work had been completed.
The report identified the airport’s aerodrome certification as a key outstanding requirement before scheduled passenger, baggage, cargo and mail services could begin.
This distinction is important for travellers. An airport may be used for limited or authorised flights without necessarily being ready to operate regular commercial passenger services. A report that an airport is active or that a particular flight has used it does not automatically mean passengers can book routine scheduled services there.
Anyone planning a journey should confirm flight availability directly with an airline or through an official airport or government announcement. Travellers should not assume that regular flights are available simply because construction has advanced or limited flight activity has taken place.
Ebonyi State’s Airline Licence Announcement in February 2026
Another important development was reported by The Guardian on February 4, 2026. The newspaper reported that the Ebonyi State Government had secured a licence to operate its own airline, according to a statement from the state’s Commissioner for Aviation and Transport Technology, Ngozi Obichukwu.
The report came after officials spoke to journalists at Chuba Okadigbo International Airport in Onueke. The commissioner said the administration had obtained a licence for its airline and that aircraft were available.
However, obtaining an airline operating licence and completing all the requirements for scheduled operations at an airport are separate matters. An airline needs the appropriate permissions for its activities, while an airport must also satisfy the applicable requirements for the services it intends to offer.
The September 2026 report by Channels Television subsequently described further infrastructure work and a final airport verification process as outstanding steps towards the launch of scheduled commercial services.
Consequently, the February airline licence announcement should not be interpreted on its own as confirmation that regular commercial passenger flights had already begun operating from the airport.
Read The Guardian’s report on Ebonyi State’s airline licence announcement for more details.
Ebonyi Airport Controversy: Government Responds to Reports About Prayer Sessions
In September and October 2026, the airport attracted additional public attention following claims that part of the facility was being used for church services. The debate raised questions about the airport’s present use while residents awaited the commencement of regular commercial passenger flights.
On October 14, 2026, Premium Times reported that the Ebonyi State Government denied converting the airport into a worship centre. The newspaper said Commissioner for Information and State Orientation Ikeuwa Omebeh acknowledged that airport staff had held prayers at the facility but maintained that a prayer session was not the same as converting the airport into a church.
The report also described conflicting public statements about a viral video showing a religious gathering at the airport. A civil society representative had raised concerns about the alleged use of the facility, while the state government disputed the claim that the airport had been converted into a worship centre.
These statements should be distinguished from independently established facts. The existence of a public controversy does not, by itself, establish that the airport has formally been converted to another use. The government’s response and the concerns raised by critics are both relevant to understanding the debate.
The larger question is how the airport will be used, maintained and developed while the state works towards the commencement of scheduled commercial passenger operations.
Read Premium Times’ report on the Ebonyi Government’s response to the worship-centre controversy.
What the Airport’s Current Situation Means for Ebonyi Residents
For residents and businesses in Ebonyi State, the main practical issue is whether the airport can move from limited operations to reliable scheduled passenger services. A functioning commercial airport requires more than a runway and terminal. It needs the right infrastructure, safety procedures, regulatory certification, airline arrangements and a sustainable level of passenger demand.
If regular services begin, travellers could have an additional option for journeys that currently require road transport or departure from airports in other states. Businesses might also benefit from improved access for visiting customers, staff and suppliers.
Nevertheless, those benefits should be discussed as potential outcomes rather than guaranteed results. The actual impact will depend on the routes offered, ticket prices, flight frequency, passenger numbers and the reliability of operations.
The state’s plans to acquire aircraft also raise practical questions about airline management, maintenance, staffing, operating costs and compliance with aviation regulations. These factors matter because starting an airline is different from simply acquiring an aircraft or securing an initial licence.
Residents should therefore follow confirmed announcements about certification, flight schedules, ticket sales and the commencement of services instead of relying solely on projected launch dates.
Is Ebonyi Airport Recruitment Open in 2026?
The April 13, 2023 announcement reproduced above does not confirm that recruitment is currently open. It applied to newly recruited employees who were directed to report for work at that time.
As of October 2026, this historical notice should not be treated as a new vacancy announcement. No current recruitment opening can be confirmed from the original notice or from the recent reports about airport development and commercial flight plans.
Anyone interested in working at Chuba Okadigbo International Airport should look for a new, officially dated vacancy notice from the Ebonyi State Government, the relevant aviation ministry or an authorised airport management office.
A genuine recruitment notice should clearly explain the positions available, eligibility requirements, application procedure, deadline and official contact details. Applicants should verify these details through government channels before sharing sensitive information or making payments.
Be cautious of social media posts or messages promising guaranteed airport jobs in exchange for money. A historical announcement or a report about airport expansion does not establish that a recruitment exercise has started.
Readers can monitor the Ebonyi State Government’s Ministry of Aviation news page for official updates. The ministry published an update titled “The Ebonyi State International Airport is Live” on July 25, 2025, although more recent reporting in September 2026 still described outstanding work and approvals for scheduled commercial flights.
For other public-service and education-related information, readers can also browse the Iyierioba Education section and the News category.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ebonyi Airport
What is the current name of Ebonyi’s international airport?
The airport is known as Chuba Okadigbo International Airport and is located at Onueke in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
When were newly recruited airport staff told to resume in 2023?
The April 2023 public announcement instructed the newly recruited staff covered by the notice to report by 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 13, 2023.
Who signed the 2023 recruitment announcement?
The notice was signed by Dr Ritamary Okoro, who was the Head of Service at the time.
Has Ebonyi State announced plans to operate its own airline?
Yes. The Guardian reported in February 2026 that the state government had secured a licence to operate its own airline. Subsequent reporting in September 2026 described further work and regulatory requirements that remained necessary for scheduled commercial services at the airport.
When will scheduled commercial flights begin?
The September 10, 2026 report by Channels Television said the state government was working to address outstanding issues and obtain the necessary approvals. The report did not establish a confirmed date on which scheduled commercial passenger services had begun. Travellers should check official announcements for confirmed schedules.
Can applicants use the April 2023 notice to apply for airport jobs?
No. The notice was a resumption directive for employees who had already been recruited. Applicants should seek a new official vacancy announcement for any current recruitment exercise.
Conclusion
The Ebonyi State Government’s April 2023 recruitment announcement directed newly employed airport staff to report for departmental deployment by 8:00 a.m. on April 13, 2023. The notice was signed by the then Head of Service, Dr Ritamary Okoro, and warned that failure to comply could result in the loss of an appointment offer.
Since then, Chuba Okadigbo International Airport has remained part of the state’s aviation development plans. In February 2026, the government announced that it had secured a licence to operate its own airline. In September 2026, officials said further infrastructure work and regulatory approvals were still required before scheduled commercial passenger services could begin.
The airport also attracted public debate in September and October 2026 over reports of religious gatherings at the facility, with the state government denying that it had been converted into a worship centre.
For now, readers should distinguish between the airport’s development plans, limited flight activity and the commencement of scheduled commercial passenger services. Anyone looking for employment should likewise rely on current, verifiable recruitment notices rather than the old 2023 announcement.
Follow Iyierioba News for more reports on Ebonyi State, public infrastructure, government announcements and other developments across Nigeria.