The Federal Government of Nigeria has recently approved ₦712.3 billion for the comprehensive renovation and upgrade of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
This represents one of the largest single commitments for airport infrastructure in Nigerian history.
The contract, awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), will strip the old terminal (Terminal 1) down to its structural carcass for a total rebuild, including all new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
This overhaul will also encompass significant apron expansions, new access roads, bridges, and other supporting infrastructure, scheduled for completion within 22 months.
Historically, the Lagos airport has seen several rounds of upgrades and maintenance.
Notably, a new international terminal was commissioned by former President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2022.
This terminal—which features 66 check-in counters, censored conveyor belts, jet bridges, cooling systems, and a 22-room transit hotel—was built to handle 14 million passengers annually.
However, reports indicate that in 2024 the airport processed just 6.5 million passengers, less than half its capacity.
Past major refurbishments, including some co-financed through Chinese loans, reportedly cost around $500 million to build terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt.
The decision to dedicate ₦712.3 billion (roughly $500 million) to a fresh renovation of MMIA has provoked intense debate.
The major justification offered by the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, is the urgent need to replace decaying infrastructure, accommodate future growth, and bring Nigeria’s busiest airport in line with international standards.
Keyamo explained that this is the first full-scale rehabilitation since the airport’s original construction in 1979 and insisted the project is not mere patchwork but a complete rebuild—including expansion of apron space and modernisation of adjoining infrastructure.
Proponents within the government maintain that, when completed, the upgraded Lagos airport will become West Africa’s leading air travel hub.
The project is expected to enhance Nigeria’s global connectivity, aviation safety, and passenger experience.
It will also, they suggest, attract more airlines and support the local economy by positioning Lagos as a major regional gateway.
The government states that the funding comes fully from the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, marking a strategic investment in national aviation assets.
However, the announcement has sparked significant criticism and controversy. The African Democratic Congress (ADC), among others, labelled the expenditure as ”fiscally reckless, a misplaced priority, and insensitive to Nigeria’s broader socioeconomic challenges”.
Critics highlight that MMIA had already undergone substantial upgrades and question whether such a costly renovation is justified when education, healthcare, and social infrastructure remain underfunded.
The ADC also referenced that the same sum was used to build four new airports in 2014 and argued that these funds could better serve the public if redirected to teaching hospitals, free basic education, electrification schemes, or roads.
A central part of the opposition’s concern is transparency and due process. Questions have been raised about whether the ₦712 billion allocation received proper National Assembly scrutiny or was included in the federal budget.
Calls have grown for an independent audit of the project, greater accountability, and a detailed, public breakdown of costs.
Civil society and advocacy organizations have emphasized the need for transparency, and some have demanded a public audit before further action.
Nigerians echo these criticisms, viewing the project as emblematic of misplaced government priorities. Calls for accountability, concrete project breakdowns, and more sustainable infrastructure policies dominate the discourse.
Nonetheless, some aviation industry experts acknowledge the need for modernising Lagos airport but remain skeptical about whether this level of spending is warranted and whether the project can deliver transformative change.
In summary, while the government insists the renovation is essential to bring MMIA up to modern standards and secure Nigeria’s position as a regional aviation leader, the ₦712.3 billion budget is viewed by many as excessive, poorly timed, and in urgent need of better transparency and public justification.
The debate underscores broader tensions over budget priorities, governance, and the pressing needs facing millions of Nigerians.