Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with China Express Airline Co. Ltd and KDN Aero as part of efforts to establish a state-owned airline, Edo Air.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday at the Government House, Benin City, in the presence of representatives of the Chinese airline led by its President, Shansheng Li, following a presentation on the company’s operational capacity.
Okpebholo expressed satisfaction with the proposed partnership, describing the agreement as the beginning of a long-term relationship. He also said the airline would commence operations soon.
“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,” he said.
The Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, said the agreement followed a fact-finding visit to China by a seven-member delegation on September 14, 2026.
He said Okpebholo approved the trip to enable the delegation to identify 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, Capt. Nuhu Musa, alongside other government officials and aviation experts.
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During the visit, the delegation inspected China Express Airline and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, the country’s major aircraft manufacturer, to assess their capabilities and explore possible areas of cooperation.
Ikhilor said China Express made a stronger impression on the delegation during the assessment.
At the airline’s headquarters, the team inspected its flight-monitoring operations, including a situation room with a large screen tracking flights across China.
He said 192 flights had already been recorded on the system by 10 a.m. on the day of the visit.
The SSG said the facilities inspected and discussions with the airline’s management convinced the delegation that China Express was a suitable technical and operational partner for Edo Air.
He expressed optimism that the agreement and subsequent engagements would provide a foundation for concrete steps towards establishing the state-owned carrier.
At the Government House event, Li presented Okpebholo with a model aircraft, while KDN Aero Managing Director, Tianzhi Chen, spoke on behalf of the Chinese delegation and outlined the airline’s operations and capabilities.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa; Ikhilor; Okungbowa; Chief of Staff, Yakubu Musa; Commissioner for Finance, Emmanuel Okoebor; and other government officials.
CHANNELSTV
