The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over its proposed plan to spend more than ₦712 billion on renovating the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, calling it “a shocking display of careless spending”.
In a statement released on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the project as a flagrant waste of public funds and a sign that the government is increasingly detached from the harsh economic realities most Nigerians are facing.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) strongly rejects the shocking ₦712 billion airport renovation plan announced by the Tinubu government, this is yet another clear example of careless spending and lack of concern for the people. The decision shows just how disconnected the APC-led government has become from the real struggles that ordinary Nigerians face every day,” the statement read.
The party questioned the logic of allocating such an enormous sum to refurbish an already upgraded airport, while critical sectors such as education and healthcare continue to suffer from chronic underfunding.
“Spending ₦712 billion on an airport that has already undergone major upgrades does not make sense when our schools lack basic facilities, healthcare remains unaffordable for most citizens, and millions of Nigerians are still grappling with the consequences of poor governance,” Abdullahi stated.
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The ADC argued that what Nigeria’s aviation sector truly needs is not lavish infrastructure, but consistent maintenance, improved service delivery, and strategic investment in regional airports to enhance domestic connectivity and economic development.
“Rather than pouring resources into gold-plated terminals, the government should focus on developing regional airports across the country,” the statement added.
“This would not only boost tourism and business travel but also ensure that more Nigerians benefit directly from aviation investments.”
The statement comes amidst growing criticism of the Tinubu administration’s economic decisions, especially in the wake of rising inflation, subsidy removals, and a weakened naira. Many Nigerians continue to question the government’s spending priorities, with mounting concerns about accountability and transparency in public projects.
As of press time, the Presidency has yet to respond to the ADC’s remarks.
