Edo State has taken a significant step toward establishing a state-owned airline after Governor Monday Okpebholo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Express Airline Co. Ltd and KDN Aero. The agreement, signed on Wednesday at the Government House in Benin City, followed a presentation by the Chinese airline on its operational capacity.
The governor signed the MoU alongside representatives of the Chinese airline, led by its President, Shansheng Li. The partnership is expected to provide the technical and operational foundation for the proposed carrier, which the governor referred to as Edo Air.
A Partnership Built on Demonstrated Capacity
Okpebholo expressed satisfaction with the proposed collaboration, describing the MoU as the beginning of a longer relationship rather than a standalone agreement. He said the presentation delivered by the Chinese delegation demonstrated the company’s capability and reinforced the state’s confidence in the partnership.
“We have signed the MoU, and this is the first part of it. We will continue to build on it,” the governor said. “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.”
Fact-Finding Mission Preceded the Agreement
The Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, explained that the agreement followed a fact-finding trip to China by a seven-man delegation approved by the governor. The delegation travelled on September 14, 2026, to meet potential technical and operational partners for the proposed airline.
Ikhilor led the team, 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 delegation.
During the visit, the team toured China Express Airline and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the country’s major aircraft manufacturer, to assess their capabilities and explore areas of cooperation.
According to the SSG, China Express left a stronger impression on the delegation. At the airline’s headquarters, the team observed its flight-monitoring operations, where a giant screen tracked flights across China. By 10 am on the day of the visit, 192 flights had already been logged.
Ikhilor said the facilities inspected and the discussions held 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 toward realising the governor’s plan to establish an Edo-owned airline.
Symbolic Exchange and High-Level Attendance
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 provided an overview of the airline’s operations and capabilities.
The meeting drew senior state officials, including 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, among other government officials.
What the MoU Means for Edo State
The signing marks a formal entry point into negotiations that could see Edo State join the ranks of subnational governments with a stake in commercial aviation. While the MoU is not a final operating agreement, it signals the state’s intent to pursue a technical partnership with an established carrier and an aircraft manufacturer.
The next phase will depend on how quickly both parties translate the understanding into binding arrangements covering fleet, operations, and regulatory approvals. For now, the governor’s message was one of confidence: the partnership has begun, and Edo Air is expected to take shape from it.
