The Federal Government’s approval of N712 billion for renovating Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport has drawn fierce criticism from opposition figures, who label it fiscal recklessness amid Nigeria’s deepening economic crisis.
Former IPAC chairman Peter Ameh called the project “another white elephant project, and frankly, an insult to the intelligence of Nigerians,” noting the country’s N121 trillion debt burden.
“We are misappropriating resources blindly… This is a country that should be investing in agriculture and industry,” he stated.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) joined the condemnation, describing the expenditure in a statement as “another brazen act of fiscal recklessness and official insensitivity” given MMIA’s 2022 terminal upgrade.
The party questioned whether the sum received legislative approval, demanding “immediate suspension of this project” and redirection of funds to healthcare and education.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo defended the cost, urging critics to “Google the cost of most modern airports built around the world” and praising the BPP for “a fantastic job.”
He explained the renovation involves completely stripping and rebuilding Terminal One to handle quadrupled traffic.
The controversy highlights growing tensions over infrastructure spending as Nigeria allocates billions to projects like the Lagos-Calabar highway while public hospitals and universities deteriorate.
ADC warned such decisions risk “further erod[ing] public trust in government” amid widespread hardship.
Although, Keyamo pledged transparency, but opponents maintain the funds could transform multiple critical sectors.
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