Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Confusion persists over the proposed second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as questions grow about the Federal Government’s commitment to the project. Originally announced in 2009 at an estimated cost of N64bn, the runway was designed to accommodate large aircraft and enhance airport capacity. Although a contract was later signed with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, rising inflation and foreign exchange pressures caused the project cost to escalate to N90bn by 2023 and N532bn by 2025. Public concern intensified after only N10m was allocated to the project in the 2026 federal budget. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo explained that the token provision was intended to keep the project active while alternative funding options are pursued. He rejected the proposed cost increase as excessive but reaffirmed the government’s intention to complete the runway through non-budgetary financing mechanisms.