By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has defended the $470 million upgrade of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, calling it a strategic investment to boost Nigeria’s economy and global image.
Speaking on Arise Prime TV, Keyamo said the aviation sector is the “face of the country” and critical to attracting foreign investment.
He noted that the renovation cost is modest compared to similar international projects, citing Angola’s $3.5 billion, South Africa’s $1.2 billion, and Ethiopia’s $7.8 billion airport developments.
“This is not just a building; we’re constructing ring roads, two-level access roads, and installing smart technologies,” he said.
The minister dismissed concerns about priority and urged Nigerians to judge the project’s value.
He criticized the poor state of the current airport, especially during high-traffic periods like “Detty December,” saying it undermines Nigeria’s reputation.
