Rights Group Condemns N712bn Airport Upgrade As Secretive, Excessive

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the Federal Government’s approval of ₦712bn for the renovation of Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, describing the project as fiscally reckless, secretive, and potentially driven by political motives ahead of the 2027 elections.

HURIWA, in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, called for the immediate suspension of the project and a comprehensive public audit into the funding, bidding process, and scope of work.

“The ₦712 billion airport terminal upgrade reeks of secrecy, extravagance, and misplaced priorities,” Onwubiko said. “At a time when Nigerians are groaning under record inflation, rising debt, mass unemployment and hunger, such an astronomical amount on a single terminal is nothing short of economic sabotage.”

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved the project, which was announced by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

The renovation will involve a full-scale overhaul—stripping the old structure to its core and rebuilding it with updated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

The contract was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and is expected to span 22 months.

But HURIWA insists the cost is grossly inflated and lacks public justification.

“We challenge the federal government to publish the full Bill of Quantities (BOQ), cost breakdown, and engineering designs of this project. What exactly in this renovation justifies a cost of over ₦700 billion?” Onwubiko asked.

The group compared the project to international examples, including the Techo International Airport in Cambodia, a greenfield airport being built from scratch for $1.5 billion.

“That airport is being developed across 2,600 hectares, with three runways, cargo terminals, and a passenger capacity of over 50 million annually. And it’s only double the cost of a single refurbished terminal in Lagos? It doesn’t add up,” HURIWA said.

According to the group, this is not the first time Terminal One has been the focus of major funding. “Under the Buhari administration, the federal government secured ₦106 billion for a similar renovation,” Onwubiko noted.

“Less than a decade later, we’re being told that another ₦712 billion is needed for the same structure. Where did the previous funds go?”

HURIWA accused the government of flouting due process, noting that there has been no evidence of a competitive and transparent bidding process.

“The Public Procurement Act has effectively been set aside in favour of political patronage,” the group stated.

It also expressed concern that the contract may be part of a wider political strategy.

“We have credible reason to believe that this and other high-value infrastructure contracts being rushed through may be thinly veiled mechanisms for building political war chests ahead of the 2027 elections,” Onwubiko alleged.

HURIWA called on the National Assembly to act swiftly, urging both the Senate and the House of Representatives to summon the Minister of Aviation and other relevant stakeholders for a public hearing.

“We demand that this contract be suspended pending a full investigation. Nigerians must not be burdened with opaque debts just to fund the ambitions of the political elite,” the group stated.

The association also took issue with a separate ₦49.9 billion fencing project approved for the same Lagos airport, which includes intrusion detection systems, CCTV, floodlights, and patrol roads.

“While we support improved airport security, bundling multiple billion-naira contracts within a few weeks—without transparency—points to a coordinated effort to drain public funds,” Onwubiko said.

While acknowledging the need for modern infrastructure, HURIWA warned that this must not come at the expense of accountability and value-for-money principles.

“Nigeria needs safe and modern airports, yes. But this must be achieved through honest, transparent, and competitive processes—not secretive deals masked in technical jargon,” Onwubiko added.

The group urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene personally.

“We call on President Tinubu to immediately suspend the project, order an independent audit, and ensure all contract documents are made public. If this administration truly stands for anti-corruption and transparency, this is the moment to prove it,” the statement read.

“Nigerians deserve clarity, not shadows; accountability, not arrogance,” the statement added.

Rights Group Condemns N712bn Airport Upgrade As Secretive, Excessive is first published on The Whistler Newspaper