The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned the Bola Tinubu-led federal government over its decision to spend a staggering ₦712.3 billion on the renovation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, describing it as “outrageous, fiscally reckless, and deeply insensitive” amid widespread economic hardship across Nigeria.
In a blistering statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party criticized the massive allocation as a glaring example of misplaced priority, questioning the rationale behind such a project at a time when Nigerians are grappling with poverty, poor healthcare, dilapidated infrastructure, and underfunded universities.
“This is another brazen act of fiscal recklessness and official insensitivity,” the statement read. “It further confirms how far this APC government is removed from the reality of the suffering people of Nigeria.”
The ₦712 billion renovation, approved at the July 31 Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, was announced by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
According to Keyamo, this will mark the first major rehabilitation of the airport’s old terminal since its initial construction.
However, the ADC swiftly pushed back, questioning whether the expenditure received the legally required approval from the National Assembly, and challenging the government to disclose which constitutional provision allows for such massive spending without parliamentary appropriation.
“The same airport had a brand-new terminal commissioned just two years ago in 2022, with ultra-modern facilities capable of handling 14 million passengers annually.
Yet, in 2024, it processed just 6.5 million passengers—less than half its capacity. Why renovate a terminal that is not operating at full use?” the ADC queried.
The party further argued that the $500 million equivalent of the proposed spending is the same amount used to build four entirely new airports in 2014 in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt—projects funded by a Chinese loan that remains unpaid.
“What the aviation sector needs is not another gold-plated terminal,” the ADC said, “but proper maintenance, enhanced efficiency, and investment in regional airports to improve domestic connectivity.”
It also highlighted the potential alternative uses of the funds, including the construction of at least seven fully equipped teaching hospitals, free basic education across three geopolitical zones for five years, and the rehabilitation of thousands of kilometres of federal roads and rural electrification projects.
“This level of frivolous spending, amidst hunger, hardship, and rising insecurity, not only undermines public trust but also raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability in governance,” the party warned.
The ADC concluded by demanding an immediate suspension of the project, a full independent audit of the budget, and a national conversation on re-prioritizing public funds to meet the urgent needs of ordinary Nigerians.
> “Let us be clear,” the statement said, “₦712 billion should not be poured into an airport makeover while millions go hungry and basic public services are collapsing.”
