The Federal Government has proposed spending a total of N33,906,953,400 on the rehabilitation and upgrade of airports, runways, aprons, terminals, perimeter fencing, and safety-critical systems across the country in the 2026 fiscal year.
The budget document shows that the funds will be deployed to repair cracked runways, expand aprons, fence airports, upgrade instrument landing systems, improve power supply, and modernise ageing terminal facilities at both local and international airports.
A major component of the allocation is the sealing of cracks on runways, aprons, and taxiways at major airports in Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt, estimated at N800m, while another N800m is proposed for the procurement and installation of airfield lighting systems at Ilorin Airport.
The government also plans to undertake terminal rehabilitation and expansion projects. These include the remodelling of the terminal building at Katsina Airport at 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, pegged at N800m. The General Aviation Terminal apron expansion at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport is expected to cost N1bn.
Perimeter security is another major focus of the budget. The construction of perimeter fencing and an access road at Ajaka/Okuta Airstrip in Kogi State is allocated N350m, perimeter fencing at Ilorin Airport will cost N325m, while fencing of Maiduguri Airport and the construction of a helicopter park is budgeted at N200m.
The document also provides N50m for perimeter fencing at Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, in addition to N350m allocated for the construction of a perimeter road at 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 for N560m, the rehabilitation of Osubi Airstrip in Delta State for N2bn, and the rehabilitation of Ibru-Edo and Uli-Okija airstrips in Edo and Anambra states, allocated N70m each.
The development of Abeokuta and Umuahia airstrips is also captured in the budget, with allocations of N35m and N800m, respectively.
In addition, the document 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 slated to cost N400m, and N350m is voted for the upgrade of instrument landing systems from Category I to Category II/III at major airports.
The budget also contains provisions for improving power supply and passenger facilities at key airports. 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 for the benefit of staff and passengers.
The projects are marked as ongoing, indicating that the allocation forms part of a wider, multi-year plan to overhaul airport infrastructure, improve safety standards, and enhance passenger experience across the country.
