Fraud Uncovered: Read Why Abuja Airport Second Runway Contract Was Revoked

The Federal Government has taken decisive steps to address alleged financial misconduct in the aviation sector, specifically concerning the construction of the second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Abuja. This was revealed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, during a budget defense session before the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Aviation.

Keyamo disclosed that the Abuja Airport contract, initially valued at N90 billion, faced a shocking and unsubstantiated variation request of N532 billion from the contractor. The project had already received a payment of N30 billion, alongside a N3.4 billion consultancy fee, yet the contractor abandoned the site, citing the unresolved variation as the reason.

"This variation is nothing but fraud," the minister declared, adding that all efforts to persuade the Abuja Airport contractor to resume work had proven futile. "We had no option but to revoke the contract and initiate a fresh bidding process to ensure accountability and value for money."

The N532 billion demand for second Abuja Airport runway, more than five times the original contract sum, has raised significant concerns about due process and financial discipline in project execution.

The contractor reportedly worked with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to compensate settlers displaced by the second runway Abuja Airport project.

During the session, committee members queried the absence of N36 billion owed to pensioners of the defunct Nigeria Airways in the ministry's 2025 budget. Addressing these concerns, Keyamo clarified that the payment responsibility had been shifted to the Ministry of Finance.

"The pensioners will soon receive their dues. We had discussions with union leaders last year, and they agreed to the arrangement put in place," he said, emphasizing the government's commitment to resolving the issue promptly.

In response to suggestions from some lawmakers to discontinue plans for establishing Aerospace Universities across the six geopolitical zones, Keyamo stood firm, highlighting the importance of decentralizing aviation education.

"Just as the Nigerian Law School has multiple campuses, aviation training should be accessible across the country. Expanding to other regions will foster inclusivity and capacity building," he argued.

Keyamo presented a budget proposal of N71.13 billion for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in 2025, broken down as follows:

N69.2 billion allocated for capital projects,

N1.147 billion for personnel costs, and

N745.7 million for overheads.

The proposed budget aims to prioritize impactful projects while addressing ongoing challenges in the aviation sector.

Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Aviation, emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the ministry's activities. He directed the minister to provide comprehensive details on the 124 ongoing projects under the ministry.

"Historical background and current status of all ongoing projects must be submitted by next week to ensure proper oversight and approval of the proposed budget," Senator Buhari stated.

The cancellation of the controversial contract opens the door for new bidders, with the ministry vowing to ensure transparency in the fresh bidding process. Keyamo reaffirmed his commitment to prioritizing national interest and ensuring that funds are utilized judiciously to complete impactful projects.

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