By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos –
ValueJet Airlines has resumed flights on the Jos–Lagos route following efforts by the Plateau State Government to boost economic activities and improve regional connectivity.
Addressing journalists in Jos on Thursday, the Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Jatau Davou Gyang, said the development was part of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s strategy to open up the state for trade, tourism, and investment.
“Prior to yesterday, we only had flights four days a week from the city of Lagos, which is a commercial hub of Nigeria. We felt it was quite inadequate for those who would want to depart Lagos and return the next day.
“We approached His Excellency and advised that we needed to close the gap on the remaining days without flights. Expeditiously, he granted approval to engage ValueJet, and on April 2, we had our first flight from Lagos to Jos at about 10:10 a.m., which departed back to Lagos at 11:00 a.m. That marked the commencement of ValueJet flights between Jos and Lagos,” Gyang said.
He disclosed that the ValueJet service would operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with two flights per day—one on the Lagos–Jos–Lagos route and another on the Abuja route.
Gyang noted that while road travel to Abuja remained an option in emergencies, the Lagos link closed a critical gap for business owners and travelers. He added that more flights would break monopolies in the airspace and reduce transport costs.
“This is intended to further strengthen regional integration. People who do business in Lagos can now come to Jos and return the same day. Those who source supplies from Lagos or bring agro-produce from Jos will now move freely, which will ultimately boost economic activity.
“When you have only one airline, monopolies in pricing become inevitable. The introduction of a second airline will break that monopoly and foster healthy competition.
“Those who travel to purchase goods will not have to deal with exorbitant transport costs, and the turnover from sales will expand, helping businesses grow,” the commissioner stated.
He explained that the expansion of flight operations would benefit the transportation of perishable produce, as missed flights often caused losses. With better connectivity, farmers could now send harvests to Lagos the same day, reducing spoilage.
He also pointed out that the flights would make life easier for workers with families in Lagos and provide safer alternatives to road travel for traders going to Aba, Port Harcourt, and Owerri.
Gyang added that tourism would also benefit, with easier access encouraging visitors to explore Jos without travel constraints. He said the government hoped the growing traffic would attract investors.
The commissioner reaffirmed the state’s commitment to securing international status for the Yakubu Gowon Airport.
“You may recall that shortly after the appointment of the new MD of FAAN, she visited Jos within her first month in office. The purpose was to assess our facilities and advise the federal government on expansion.
“We’re not talking about massive infrastructure; just expanding the runway and taxiway, resurfacing the 40-year-old runway, and installing a few key facilities. We’re calling on the federal government to support us. The state government is willing, very willing, to contribute to this goal,” he said.
He disclosed that the governor had set up a committee to liaise with FAAN and fast-track the upgrade as part of a broader push to position Plateau as a hub for trade, tourism, and regional travel.
