The Federal Government has proposed a total allocation of N33.9bn for the rehabilitation and upgrade of airport infrastructure across the country in the 2026 fiscal year, as part of efforts to improve safety standards, modernise facilities, and enhance passenger experience.
Details contained in the 2026 budget proposal show that the funds will be deployed for the repair of runways, expansion of aprons, rehabilitation of terminal buildings, construction of perimeter fencing, and the upgrade of safety critical systems at both domestic and international airports nationwide.
According to the budget document, priority will be given to the sealing of cracks on runways, aprons, and taxiways at major airports in Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt, with a provision of N800m. Another N800m is earmarked for the procurement and installation of airfield lighting systems at Ilorin Airport.
The government also plans extensive terminal rehabilitation and expansion projects. These include the remodelling of the terminal building at Katsina Airport at the cost of N175m, the rehabilitation and upgrade of the terminal building and car park at Calabar Airport for N200m, and the expansion of the apron at Maiduguri Airport, estimated at N800m. The General Aviation Terminal apron expansion at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport is expected to gulp N1bn.
Security infrastructure forms a major component of the allocation. The construction of perimeter fencing and an access road at Ajaka Okuta Airstrip in Kogi State is allocated N350m, while perimeter fencing at Ilorin Airport is estimated at N325m. The fencing of Maiduguri Airport, alongside the construction of a helicopter park, is budgeted at N200m.
In addition, the document provides N50m for perimeter fencing at Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, and N350m for the construction of a perimeter road at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport.
Beyond the major airports, the Federal Government plans to rehabilitate several airstrips across the country. These include the rehabilitation of Hadejia Airstrip in Jigawa State at N560m, Osubi Airstrip in Delta State at N2bn, and the rehabilitation of Ibru Edo and Uli Okija airstrips in Edo and Anambra states, with N70m allocated to each.
The development of Abeokuta and Umuahia airstrips is also captured in the budget, with allocations of N35m and N800m respectively.
Further breakdown of the budget shows that N5bn has been earmarked for safety and security critical projects and airport certification nationwide, while N400m is allocated for the monitoring and evaluation of aviation capital projects. The certification of Lagos and Abuja airports is expected to cost N400m, while N350m is voted for the upgrade of instrument landing systems from Category I to Category II and III at major airports.
The budget also makes provision for improvements in power supply and passenger facilities. These include N500m for water cooling chillers at Lagos and Abuja airports, N1bn for airport power improvement projects using solar and gas turbines, N500m for passenger boarding bridges at Lagos Airport, and N700m for a new baggage handling system at the same airport.
Other allocations include N21m for the construction of a sewage treatment plant at Owerri Airport, N140m for a rescue and fire service building at Calabar Airport, and N57m for the construction of clinics at major airports to serve staff and passengers.
The projects are listed as ongoing, indicating that the allocation forms part of a broader multi year plan aimed at overhauling airport infrastructure, strengthening safety standards, and positioning Nigeria’s aviation sector for improved efficiency and growth.
