In what has been described as a colossal waste of public funds, six state governments—Ekiti, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Yobe, Nasarawa, and Bayelsa—have collectively spent approximately N160 billion on airport projects that industry experts and opposition politicians have deemed unviable.
Aviation professionals and political stakeholders have criticized the massive investments in these airport projects, which have failed to attract sufficient air traffic to justify their existence. The projects, many of which remain incomplete or underutilized, have drawn sharp rebukes from critics who argue that the funds could have been better allocated to more pressing state needs.
Olumide Ohunayo, General Secretary of the Aviation Safety Round Table, expressed concern over the scale and funding of these airport projects. “I am not against the building of airports, but the size of these projects and the funds allocated are often disproportionate to the needs of the states,” Ohunayo said. He noted that while airports typically start as social infrastructure, the lack of strategic planning and passenger traffic studies has led to financially unsustainable ventures.
The situation is not limited to these six states. Several other state governments, including those in Osun, Ogun, and Anambra, have embarked on similar projects, many of which have either been abandoned or left incomplete. For instance, the Ebonyi State government spent over N36 billion on an airport in Onueke, Ezza South Local Government Area, yet the facility remains largely inactive.
In Ekiti State, former Governor Kayode Fayemi invested N16 billion in the construction of a cargo airport, which has yet to see any significant use. Critics argue that the project was ill-conceived, given the proximity of Akure Airport, which could serve the state’s needs.
In Bayelsa, former Governor Seriake Dickson spent N70 billion on an airport project, a figure disputed by some stakeholders who claim the cost was even higher. Despite the hefty investment, the airport has struggled to maintain regular commercial operations.
Opposition politicians have seized on these developments, accusing the governors of wasting scarce resources on projects that do not serve the public interest. Alaba Agboola, Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in Ekiti State, described the airport project as unnecessary and wasteful. “Ekiti receives meager amounts compared to other states. We must prioritize our needs, and the airport is not one of them,” Agboola said.
Some industry experts have suggested that the unviable airports be repurposed into skill acquisition centers or other public facilities that could benefit the citizens. Captain John Okakpu, a veteran in the aviation sector, criticized the trend of replicating failed projects. “Before you think of building an airport, you should be able to ascertain the passenger traffic. It’s not rocket science,” Okakpu stated.
As the debate over these projects continues, there are growing calls for investigations into the funds spent on these airports. Stakeholders have urged relevant authorities to probe the financial management of these projects and hold those responsible accountable for the apparent waste of public resources.