In a controversial move, six state governments in Nigeria—Ekiti, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Yobe, Nasarawa, and Bayelsa—have collectively spent approximately N160 billion on airport projects. These projects have been labeled as unviable by opposition politicians and aviation professionals. Stakeholders argue that the substantial public funds allocated to these facilities have been wasted, as the airports have failed to attract a significant number of aircraft for charter or commercial purposes.
Critics have condemned the state governors for what they describe as a misuse of scarce resources, urging Nigerians to hold them accountable for the financial waste. Some industry experts have suggested that these underutilized airports be repurposed into skill acquisition centers to benefit the local populace. Additionally, there have been calls for a thorough investigation into the expenditures on these projects.
Despite the criticism, the trend of state governments investing in airport projects continues. In the past decade, at least ten states have initiated or proposed similar projects, often designating them as “cargo airports.” However, many of these projects remain incomplete or have been abandoned by subsequent administrations.
The situation highlights a broader issue within Nigeria’s aviation sector, where only a few airports, such as Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, and Port Harcourt International Airport, generate significant revenue. The majority of other airports contribute to the financial burden on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
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