President Bola Tinubu has sought the approval of the House of Representatives for the refund of a total sum of N24 billion to the governments of Nasarawa and Kebbi States. 

The refund is for the takeover of airports constructed by the two states.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, and read on the floor of the House during plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, President Tinubu requested concurrent approval to grant the refund.

According to the President’s request, over N15 billion is to be refunded to the Kebbi State Government, while N9 billion is earmarked for the Nasarawa State Government.

He said the funds were initially spent by Kebbi State for the construction of the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, and by Nasarawa State for the construction of the Lafia Cargo Airport.

President Tinubu clarified in the letter that aviation matters, including airports, are under the control of the Federal Government as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution (As amended).

The President’s letter outlined the details of the refund, stating, “That a promissory note in the sum of N9,000,542,651,786.11 be issued to the Nasarawa State government as a refund for the takeover of the newly constructed Nasarawa Airport, and that a promissory note in the sum of N15,137,336,95.88 only be issued to Kebbi State state government as a refund for the takeover of Bernin Kebbi International Airport.”

President Tinubu urged the House of Representatives to consider and grant concurrent approval for the establishment of the promissory notes program in favour of the Kebbi and Nasarawa State governments.