The Federal Government has committed more than N1tn to infrastructure renewal, rehabilitation and construction across Nigeria’s aviation sector, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said.
Keyamo disclosed this at the 67th anniversary of Aero Contractors, where he highlighted major infrastructure projects being undertaken by the Bola Tinubu administration.
He said President Tinubu had also approved the mobilisation of the China Civil Engineering Construction Company to begin work on the second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The Abuja second runway project is expected to cost about N400bn. Keyamo said the project had suffered years of delays due to disagreements over its cost.
He also disclosed plans for a light rail project linking the Lagos State Red Line at Ikeja Bus Stop to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The proposed rail line will connect the airport’s international terminal, the General Aviation Terminal, MMA2 and the Air Force Base before terminating at an underground station at the new Terminal Two of the Lagos airport.
According to Keyamo, the aviation infrastructure projects form part of the Renewed Hope agenda and are being funded through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund.
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He said the Federal Government had also modernised the old terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at a cost of N712bn.
Keyamo said the administration’s removal of the petrol subsidy had created more fiscal space for infrastructure investment.
He noted that previous airport infrastructure projects had relied heavily on Chinese loans, which the country is still repaying.
“Following the removal of the fuel subsidy, there is no more borrowing to build aviation infrastructure,” the minister said, adding that government revenue was now being channelled into projects and policies aimed at creating jobs and supporting economic growth.
On the delayed Abuja runway, Keyamo said the project was initially estimated at N45bn but was halted after the National Assembly questioned its cost.
He said the prolonged delay had caused the estimated cost to rise to almost N400bn.
“That is the danger of postponing the evil day,” he said.
The minister also praised Aero Contractors for its resilience and contribution to Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Describing the airline as “the pride of Nigeria,” Keyamo said its 67-year history represented a story of resilience and success.
He urged other Nigerian airlines to learn from Aero Contractors’ experience and build stronger and more sustainable operations.
