Reps approve ₦100.5bn refund to Yobe for Damaturu cargo airport

House of Representatives don approve ₦100,509,017,234.55 promissory note programme to pay back Yobe State for building Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport for Damaturu, wey Federal Government dey take over now.

The approval come after dem adopt report of House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management for Wednesday plenary. Committee chairman, Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba, brief journalists for National Assembly for Abuja after the session.

President Bola Tinubu bin ask National Assembly to approve the refund for one letter wey dem read for House floor on October 13, 2026. Dem make the request under Debt Management Office (Establishment) Act, 2003, and Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, wey require lawmakers to approve such debt-settlement arrangements.

Why committee back the refund

Nalaraba talk say the panel inspect the airport and review documents from Federal Ministries of Aviation and Finance, Federal Executive Council, Bureau of Public Procurement and Yobe State Government before dem recommend approval.

According to committee, Ministry of Aviation inspect the completed facility and confirm say quality of work meet standard for federal takeover. E also find say Yobe don pay contractors, while procurement bureau certify say due process follow.

Nalaraba stress say the money no be fresh funding for construction. "This na reimbursement. This money don spend," e talk, noting say the state build the airport even though aviation fall under Federal Government exclusive legislative list.

E talk say the airport go add value to residents and attract investment. One committee member from Yobe, Mohammed Mugbejajere, talk say the facility fit serve as cargo hub for North-East, especially for farm produce and raw materials. "Yobe, as una all know, na agrarian state," e talk.

Reporters ask about commercial viability of Nigerian airports, citing report wey dem attribute to Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) say only three of country 22 airports dey profitable. Nalaraba talk say committee rely on aviation authorities, adding say FAAN technical team satisfy say airport viable and ready for commercial use.

Wetin go happen next

With House approval, Federal Government take over airport, including responsibility for maintenance and future development. Committee talk say reimbursement go be one-off payment, though dem no fully explain payment schedule.

Airport long-term value go depend on whether e fit attract cargo operators and give farmers for Yobe and wider North-East reliable route to market.