The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the Tinubu administration over its plan to spend ₦712.3 billion on renovating the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
In a statement on Sunday, August 3, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi described the project as “outrageous,” calling it fiscally reckless and insensitive to Nigerians’ suffering.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management, Festus Keyamo, had announced the project’s approval following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Thursday.
He said the upgrade would be the first major rehabilitation of the old terminal since its construction.
However, the ADC questioned whether the project had National Assembly approval and accused the administration of ignoring Nigeria’s real needs.
“The African Democratic Congress strongly condemns the outrageous ₦712 billion airport renovation project announced by the Tinubu administration as another brazen act of fiscal recklessness and official insensitivity,” the party said.
ADC pointed out that the same airport received significant upgrades in recent years, including a new terminal commissioned by former President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2022.
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That facility, the party noted, has modern features like jet bridges, advanced cooling systems, and a capacity for 14 million passengers annually, yet processed only 6.5 million in 2024.
“We therefore wonder if it is this same airport that is now scheduled for renovation or another one,” it said.
“Either the previous APC government lied about the upgrades, or this administration is about to waste public funds on an already completed project.”
The ADC also questioned the legality of the expenditure, stating that it lacked budgetary backing or public scrutiny.
“Is this now how the government spends close to a trillion naira—without appropriation, without scrutiny, and without the consent of the Nigerian people through their elected representatives?” it asked.
The party demanded the project’s suspension, an independent audit, and a redirection of funds to more impactful sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
It warned that such spending would further erode public trust, especially in a time of hunger, insecurity, and economic hardship.