The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has defended the Federal Government’s approval of ₦712.3 billion for the reconstruction and expansion of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, insisting the project will be fully funded without loans.
Speaking in a detailed statement on Sunday, Keyamo explained that the investment, long overdue, will transform the airport into a modern, world-class facility.
According to him, the funds will cover a complete overhaul of Terminal One, expansion of Terminal Two, apron improvements, construction of access roads, and other modern infrastructure upgrades.
“There are two international terminals in Lagos. Terminal One, built in 1979, has long outlived its capacity. Terminal Two, started under President Jonathan with a Chinese loan and completed under President Buhari, was operational in President Tinubu’s first month in office,” Keyamo stated.
He explained that Terminal One will undergo a full strip-down and redesign to meet modern international standards, affecting wings D and E. For Terminal Two, expansion works will enlarge the building and apron to accommodate more aircraft, while two new ring roads and a bridge will ease access to the departure lounge.
Keyamo stressed that the ₦712.3bn will come from the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, sourced partly from subsidy savings, and not from foreign or domestic borrowing.
“Nigerians will be proud of what we are going to deliver. This is a Renewed Hope project—fully funded, transparent, and debt-free,” he said, adding that the Bureau for Public Procurement thoroughly vetted and approved the cost.
To ensure accountability, the minister promised regular oversight: “We will invite the Press, Civil Society, members of the National Assembly, and interested Nigerians on site tours to assess progress and quality.”
Keyamo concluded by urging Nigerians to compare the cost with other global airport projects: “The aim is to bring Lagos in line with top-tier international standards.”
