By Oluwakemi Kindness
The House of Representatives has approved a ₦100.5 billion reimbursement to the Yobe State Government for constructing the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport in Damaturu, although questions remain about the facility’s commercial viability.
The approval followed the adoption of a report by the House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management at Wednesday’s plenary, with the reimbursement fixed at ₦100,509,017,234.55.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at the National Assembly in Abuja, the committee’s chairman, Rep. Abubakar Hassan-Nalaraba, said lawmakers reviewed project documents, consulted relevant government agencies and inspected the airport before recommending the payment.
He said the Federal Ministries of Aviation and Finance, alongside other agencies, provided technical assessments and supporting documents for the committee’s review.
According to Nalaraba, the airport’s infrastructure and equipment met the required standards for federal takeover, while the aviation ministry confirmed that the completed facility was suitable for the purpose.
The committee also verified that the Yobe State Government had paid the contractors and that the Bureau of Public Procurement had reviewed the procurement process.
The reimbursement request followed a letter from President Bola Tinubu, read to the House on October 13, 2026, seeking legislative approval for the promissory note programme.
Nalaraba explained that the proposed payment was intended to refund money already spent by the state on the project, rather than provide fresh funding for construction.
Rep. Mohammed Jajere, a member of the committee from Yobe State, said the airport could improve access to markets for agricultural produce and raw materials from the North-East.
He said the facility could support the region’s agricultural economy by making it easier to transport goods to other markets and attract investment in cargo services.
However, the airport’s commercial prospects came under scrutiny during the briefing, with journalists citing a report attributed to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria indicating that only three of Nigeria’s 22 domestic and international airports were commercially viable.
Responding to the concerns, Nalaraba said aviation authorities had assessed the facility and confirmed that it was ready for commercial operations.
He maintained that the Federal Government’s takeover would place responsibility for the airport’s future operations, maintenance and development on the federal authorities.
The committee recommended approval of the full amount claimed by Yobe State and endorsed by the Federal Executive Council. Nalaraba described the reimbursement as a one-off payment.
