… Obasanjo, Akpabio says it’s catalyst for development
Property values across Pelican Valley developments are poised for a significant upswing following the inauguration of the Gateway International Airport by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—a landmark project expected to transform Ogun State into a major logistics and economic hub.
Real estate analysts say the airport’s commissioning is already triggering heightened investor interest in nearby residential schemes, particularly within the Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited portfolio. The estates’ strategic crow flies proximity to the new cargo airport positions them as prime assets for both residential living and commercial opportunities.
Pelican Brief Estate, Kobape, stands out as a key beneficiary, located just 45.3 kilometres—approximately a 50-minute drive—from the newly commissioned airport. This accessibility significantly enhances its appeal to professionals, logistics operators, and investors seeking to tap into the emerging aerotropolis ecosystem.
Similarly, Pelican Valley Estate in Laderin is also poised for appreciation. Situated about 55 kilometres away—roughly a 1 hour 10-minute drive—the estate offers a balance of urban comfort and connectivity to the fast-developing aviation corridor. Its also worthy of note that the two above estates are less than one hour 30 minutes to the Murtala Muhammad international airport, Ikeja by road.
Industry observers note that infrastructure-led growth has consistently driven property booms, and the Gateway International Cargo Airport is expected to follow that trend. With improved connectivity, increased commercial activity, and job creation on the horizon, demand for housing in surrounding areas is projected to climb steadily.
Adding further perspective, Amb. (Dr) Babatunde Adeyemo, C.E.O of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, Nigerian frontline real estate firm, highlighted the strong returns already being recorded by early investors when he recently hosted one of them.
He said, “I am delighted to host the representatives of the foreign-based investors recently, who keyed into our Pelican Brief project through my longstanding relationship with their contact person. Today, their dream of building a country home is taking shape in our estate.
“The Ajala family bought over 15 plots from us in 2021. The plot of land bought five years ago for as low as ₦1 million is now being sold for ₦17.5 million. During their site familiarisation tour with me, the Ajala family’s representatives shared plans on building uniform and identical structures, among other investment projections. In Pelican Brief Estate only, we have been able to attract over 800 Nigerians in diaspora with over 100 ongoing government approved developments on site.”
With such significant appreciation in value and the quality of landlords already recorded in Pelican’s projecs , stakeholders believe the airport’s commissioning could mark the beginning of even greater value growth—reaffirming the importance of location, infrastructure, and timing in real estate investment.
One of such stakeholders is former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He described the landmark airport and its commissioning by President Tinubu as a “historical occasion,” stressing that he was happy to witness it in his lifetime.
The elder statesman noted that when Ogun State was created 50 years ago, no one would have imagined that an airport would be established in the state. Recalling his first use of the facility, he said it dawned on him that it saved him 25 minutes of travel time due to its accessibility and proximity to Abeokuta, the state capital.
He revealed that using the Lagos airport used to take him at least an hour’s drive from the airport to his residence in Abeokuta, adding that all those challenges have now been resolved with the Gateway International Airport, Ilishan.
Also commenting, the President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said he was marveled to observe that the areas in and around the airport corridor have become an emerging industrial hub.
Akpabio added that, based on what he has seen, the Kobape- Abeokuta expressway corridor leading to the airport is now an investors’ haven, hosting over N16 billion investments spread across both sides of the road, adding that industrial giants have left Agbara for the Kobape corridor.
