Reps approve FG’s request for N100.5bn Yobe airport refund

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the Federal Government’s reimbursement of N100,509,017,234.55 to the Yobe State Government for the takeover of the newly constructed Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport, Damaturu.

The approval followed the adoption of the recommendations of the House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management, chaired by Hon. Abubakar Nalaraba, which highlighted the socioeconomic benefits of the facility.

According to him, the promissory note programme and bond issuance are intended to clear unpaid debts owed by the Federal Government across various sectors of the economy, as well as refund state governments for projects executed on behalf of the Federation.

He added that the committee assessed and reconciled submissions from the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) alongside records presented by the state. To ensure equity and a fair hearing, the Yobe State Government was also invited to provide further clarification.

It will be recalled that Speaker Abbas Tajudeen on October 13, 2026, read an executive communication from President Bola Tinubu requesting a resolution of the National Assembly approving the establishment of a promissory note programme for N100,509,017,234.55 as refund to Yobe State.

President Tinubu’s request was made pursuant to the provisions of the Debt Management Office (Establishment) Act, 2003, and the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, which mandate presidential requests for such borrowing instruments to be approved by legislative resolution.

“In the course of its assignment, the Committee relied on the following referenced/working documents: detailed submission on the project as requested for and received from the following key Government functionaries including: Commissioners of Finance, Works, Transport; Yobe State Executive Council, Federal Executive Council approval; approval of the Ministry of Aviation for the construction and development of the airport; as well as ratification Approval by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Bureau of Public Procurement,” the committee noted.

Hon. Nalaraba stated that the committee also reviewed documents from the BPP, including copies of the contract agreement between Yobe State and the contractor, certificates of completion for each project phase, BPP clearance certificates, the BPP ‘Due Process Review Report’, the BPP Certificate of ‘No Objection’, and proof of payments made by the state government.

Based on these submissions and interactions, the committee noted that the Federal Ministry of Aviation inspected the completed airport and confirmed that the quality of work met international standards, certifying it worthy of federal takeover.

The committee also confirmed that the Yobe State Government had fully settled all contractors who executed the project, while the BPP verified that due process was strictly observed.

Consequently, the House, sitting in the Committee of Supply co-chaired by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, approved the promissory note programme in the sum of N100,509,017,234.55 as claimed by the state and ratified by FEC.

Providing a synopsis of the adopted report during a press briefing, Hon. Nalaraba said: “As you are aware, the House has considered and passed the request for the reimbursement of Yobe State for the construction of the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport. After due diligence and careful consideration, including a comprehensive assessment of the airport and reports from technical officials, the committee found the request worthy of approval.

“We considered reports and technical assessments from relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Aviation, the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. The assessment covered the quality and standards of the airport, as well as its equipment. We were satisfied that the facility meets international standards, can stand the test of time and has been certified by professionals. Based on these findings, the committee considered the request worthy of approval for reimbursement to the Yobe State Government.”

Speaking on the economic viability of the project, Hon. Nalaraba said: “When critical infrastructure is constructed in a state where such facilities are lacking, it creates value for the people beyond statistics. It can attract investment to the state and the country at large. The infrastructure needs to be put to use to serve the people of the area and enable them to connect with other parts of the world. That alone represents a significant benefit to the state and the country. Yobe is an agrarian state, with agriculture serving as a major economic activity. We expect the cargo airport to provide an important outlet for transporting agricultural produce, particularly from the North-East, to other markets.

“We would not want to contradict the assessments of the relevant technical authorities, particularly those responsible for aviation oversight. Due diligence was conducted before the committee’s report was submitted. The relevant agencies and officials examined the documents and carried out the necessary assessments.

“The request was referred to us for consideration and approval. We examined the documentation and the assessment by the Ministry of Aviation, which is responsible for the sector. Aviation is an exclusive legislative matter under the Constitution. The Ministry of Aviation and its technical partners have assessed the facility and confirmed that it is viable and ready for commercial operations. Members of the National Assembly are not aviation technocrats. We rely on the relevant professionals and the established administrative process. The request went through the appropriate government procedures, including consideration by the Federal Executive Council, before it was brought to the National Assembly.

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“We believe the relevant authorities conducted their due diligence before the request was submitted for legislative consideration,” Hon. Nalaraba explained.

Highlighting the justification for the refund, he added: “it is important to understand that the Yobe State Government spent its own money to construct the international cargo airport. After completing the project and following the required procedures, the state approached the Federal Government for reimbursement.”

Following the resolution, the Federal Government will officially take over the asset, with full responsibility for its future operations and maintenance resting with the appropriate federal aviation authorities.