{
  "id": 12289856,
  "title": "Abuja second runway cost surges to N400bn — Keyamo",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/abuja-second-runway-cost-surges-to-n400bn-keyamo",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-06T01:17:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/abuja-second-runway-cost-surges-to-n400bn-keyamo/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The cost of building a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja has surged by an astounding 789 percent, jumping from around N45 billion when the project was initially proposed to nearly N400 billion in 2026, according to Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Keyamo made this revelation during the 67th anniversary of Aero Contractors at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos. He used the escalating cost to emphasize the economic implications of postponing crucial infrastructure projects. The second runway at Abuja, the second busiest airport in Nigeria, has been a contentious issue for nearly two decades, with both the National Assembly and aviation stakeholders raising doubts about the initial N45 billion estimate. The project, which commenced under the late President Umar Yar’Adua in 2009, has experienced multiple delays, with budgetary allocations made during the Buhari administration but the work has since stagnated. Although opinions on the necessity of the second runway are divided, proponents argue that it would provide significant relief to operators who have had to deal with flight disruptions due to VIP movements at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Despite the long delay, Keyamo noted that the project's estimated cost has increased to N400 billion due to the ever-rising prices of construction over the 15-20 years. The minister pointed out that this situation underscores the importance of addressing underinvestment in critical aviation infrastructure over the years. The Federal Government has been actively working on the rehabilitation of the Lagos airport and resurfacing runways at Abuja and Port Harcourt airports, with plans to commence work on the Akure Airport runway soon. Additionally, the government has secured $1 billion in infrastructure approval for the aviation sector, including $500 million for the Lagos International Airport terminal reconstruction, all without taking on loans. This financial turnaround is attributed to the removal of fuel subsidies, which resulted in increased foreign reserves climbing from $3 billion to $56 billion. Keyamo highlighted the ongoing Lagos airport reconstruction project, which employs approximately 2,000 Nigerians through the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). He also outlined government policy reforms aimed at bolstering Nigerian airlines, including access to aircraft via the Cape Town Convention and IDERA, and the potential extension of the Lagos Red Line rail network to the new terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.",
  "summary": "The proposed second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, has recorded a staggering 789 per cent increase in estimated cost, rising from about N45 billion when the project was first proposed to nearly N400 billion in 2026, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has disclosed. Keyamo disclosed this […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}