Abuja: In a sharp rebuke of recent federal spending plans, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has voiced strong opposition to the proposed ₦712 billion renovation of Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport – labelLing the move “misplaced priority” that ignores Nigeria’s more pressing development needs.
The party posits that Nigeria’s aviation sector needs proper maintenance, efficiency, and regional airport expansion, not the planned renovation. It therefore demands a halt to the renovation.
The party disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
It described the plan to spend over ₦712 billion renovating Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport as a “misplaced priority.”
Abdullahi said the decision was outrageous, especially considering the country’s current economic realities.
He questioned the rationale behind spending ₦712 billion to renovate an airport that already received substantial upgrades and remains fully functional.
According to him, the proposed sum — around $500 million — is the same amount used to construct four new airports in 2014.
“These included airports in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt, all built with a Chinese loan still awaiting repayment,” he said.
He recalled that the same Lagos airport had a new terminal commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2022.
Abdullahi said: “Reports then said the terminal sits on 56,000 square metres and features 66 check-in counters.
“It can process 14 million passengers annually, yet only handled 6.5 million passengers in 2024.
“The terminal was said to include jet bridges, cooling systems, and a 22-room hotel, among other features.”
Abdullahi asked whether it is the same airport now up for renovation or an entirely different one.
He also questioned whether the ₦712 billion project received National Assembly approval or appeared in the current budget.
“We demand to know under what constitutional provision this money is being spent,” he said.
“The ADC called for the immediate suspension of the project and a full independent audit of the proposed budget,” he said
Abdullahi said funds should be redirected to initiatives that would directly impact ordinary Nigerians’ lives.
He noted that ₦712 billion could fund seven teaching hospitals, free education in three zones, rural electrification, or road rehabilitation.
