Two Years After Completion, Buhari’s ₦106bn Airport Terminal Faces ₦712bn “Renovation” Under Tinubu Government

 

Barely two years after former President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned a brand new international terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, the Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu has announced a jaw-dropping ₦712 billion renovation project for the same terminal. The news has triggered a storm of criticism, with many Nigerians raising eyebrows over the timing, cost, and necessity of the new plan.

The Lagos airport terminal, a symbol of Nigeria’s push for improved infrastructure, was commissioned on May 22, 2022. Built at a cost of ₦106 billion, the project was hailed as one of Buhari’s flagship achievements in the aviation sector. With modern amenities, state-of-the-art facilities, and an annual passenger capacity of over 14 million, the terminal was expected to elevate Nigeria’s global aviation standing.

That optimism is now being overshadowed by suspicion. The current administration's announcement of a ₦712 billion renovation has not only shocked Nigerians but has also cast doubt on the integrity of public expenditure. The sum represents a more than 570 percent increase from the original cost of the terminal, a staggering inflation that experts and citizens alike are struggling to understand or justify.

Nigerians are asking hard questions. What exactly requires renovation in a brand new terminal that has barely seen three years of use? Why was the structure allowed to deteriorate so quickly, if indeed there is a need for such an enormous overhaul? Is this a genuine need for renovation or just another gateway for corruption?

Aviation experts have also joined the growing list of skeptics. Some believe this development might be a clever disguise for a procurement racket, especially in a country where public project costs often skyrocket without commensurate delivery. Others argue that if there were structural or design flaws in the terminal, they should have been addressed under warranty or through the original contractors rather than spending seven times more on “renovation.”

The Federal Government has provided limited details regarding the scope of the ₦712 billion renovation. Officials claim the funds will go into upgrading security systems, expanding parking bays, improving passenger flow management, and integrating advanced technology. However, critics point out that these are enhancements that should have been embedded in the original plan, especially considering that the project was touted as “world-class” during Buhari’s administration.

Public trust is fraying. With Nigeria facing severe economic hardship, including rising inflation, a weakening naira, and fuel subsidy removal, many citizens see this move as tone-deaf and deeply troubling. Social media platforms have exploded with outrage, with hashtags like #712billionScam and #AirportGate trending across Twitter and Instagram.

Civil society organizations are not staying silent. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called for an immediate audit of the proposed renovation budget. According to SERAP, “This outrageous amount reeks of misappropriation. We demand transparency, public engagement, and accountability before one kobo is released for this so-called renovation.”

On the streets, the sentiment is no less fiery. For many Nigerians, the announcement is a stark reminder of how public office has become a channel for self-enrichment rather than service. “This is not governance. This is robbery with a fountain pen,” said one Lagos resident who frequently travels through MMIA. Another traveler questioned, “How can you renovate something that was only recently completed? What message are they sending to the world about how we manage national projects?”

The opposition has also seized the moment to criticize the Tinubu-led administration. Members of the PDP and Labour Party have jointly described the move as "reckless and suspicious." They are demanding a breakdown of the budget and full disclosure of the contractors involved.

The development comes amid other controversies surrounding the current administration’s spending priorities. From inflated travel budgets to questionable subsidy relief programs, critics argue that Tinubu’s government is fast losing the goodwill it had upon inauguration.

There are growing calls for the National Assembly to step in and launch an independent investigation. Transparency International Nigeria has urged lawmakers to scrutinize the plan, adding that unchecked spending of this nature could worsen Nigeria’s already troubling position on global corruption indices.

For now, the public waits, anxious and frustrated, as yet another infrastructure project morphs into a scandal. With trust in government at a historic low, many Nigerians fear that this ₦712 billion airport renovation might be yet another footnote in the country’s long history of squandered opportunities and unaccounted billions.

Whether the Tinubu administration heeds these warnings or barrels ahead with the controversial plan remains to be seen. What is clear is that Nigerians are watching, and they demand answers.