The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the Bola Tinubu-led administration for approving over N712 billion for the renovation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, describing the project as extravagant, ill-timed, and a gross misplacement of priorities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, labelled the expenditure as “fiscally reckless” and “insensitive,” especially in light of Nigeria’s deepening economic crisis.

President Tinubu had approved the sum of N712.3 billion for the airport’s upgrade under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, a move formally announced by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

Keyamo explained that this would be the first major overhaul of the airport’s old terminal since its commissioning in 1979, arguing that the terminal had fallen into disrepair due to decades of overuse and neglect.

However, the ADC questioned the rationale behind the massive spend, raising concerns about legislative oversight, budgetary approval, and the real necessity of such a renovation.

“The African Democratic Congress strongly condemns the outrageous N712 billion airport renovation as yet another act of fiscal irresponsibility and government disconnect from the suffering of Nigerians,” the party said.

“In a country where public universities are chronically underfunded, where access to basic healthcare is now a luxury, and where millions have been plunged into poverty by poorly conceived policies, it is unconscionable to sink such an amount into one airport.”

The party argued that what Nigeria’s aviation sector requires is not “another gold-plated terminal,” but efficient maintenance, modernization, and investment in regional airports to boost real connectivity across the country.

For context, the ADC pointed out that the $500 million (N712bn) earmarked for this single project is equivalent to the entire sum used to construct four new international terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt in 2014, funded through a Chinese loan which remains unpaid.

The party also reminded Nigerians that the Murtala Muhammed Airport already received a new international terminal commissioned by former President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2022, featuring:

• 66 check-in counters

• A landmass of 56,000 sqm

• A processing capacity of 14 million passengers annually

• Seven jet bridges, advanced baggage systems, duty-free shops, cooling and heat extraction units, and a 22-room hotel

Yet, despite its capacity, the airport reportedly processed just 6.5 million passengers in 2024, less than half its installed potential.

“We are left wondering: Is this the same airport now slated for another renovation? Or is the government repackaging an existing project to justify another round of extravagant spending? Either the previous APC administration misled Nigerians about its achievements, or the current government is about to waste public funds on duplicative infrastructure,” the ADC stated.

Even more disturbing, the party said, is the lack of National Assembly approval or public breakdown of costs.

“How does the government commit nearly a trillion naira without appropriation, public debate, or due procurement processes? Under what section of the Constitution is this justified?”

The ADC warned that such spending only worsens Nigeria’s debt burden and comes at a time when resources are needed for critical sectors such as:

• Establishing world-class teaching hospitals

• Funding free education in underserved regions

• Implementing rural electrification projects

• Rehabilitating federal roads and bridges

“We call for the immediate suspension of this project, a transparent, independent audit of the proposed expenditure, and the redirection of funds to more pressing areas that can positively impact ordinary Nigerians.”

The party warned that in an era of mass poverty, insecurity, and hunger, reckless government spending only widens the trust deficit between the people and their leaders.

In defence, Minister Keyamo clarified that the renovation will focus on Terminal One, which he said has been deteriorating for years. He explained that the entire structure—including the roof—would be stripped down to its carcass, redesigned, and rebuilt to meet modern international aviation standards.

“Over the years, we’ve merely done patch jobs to keep it presentable. The plan now is to reconfigure and completely rebuild the terminal to handle increased passenger traffic and deliver a world-class facility,” Keyamo said.

Despite his assurances, the ADC remains firm in its stance, calling the project a symbol of misplaced priorities and a test case for Nigerians to demand greater accountability.