A Kogi State-based civil society organisation, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), has urged the State Government to align its ambitious N50 billion international airport project with economic realities and pressing development priorities.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Hamza Aliyu, and made available to journalists in Lokoja, the group acknowledged the recent signing of the airport contract but emphasized the need for a cautious, evidence-based approach anchored on verifiable data and fiscal sustainability.
Aliyu noted that while an international airport could potentially stimulate economic growth, its long-term viability would depend on demand levels, strategic positioning, and integration into a broader economic framework.
He raised concerns over projections suggesting the airport would handle about 250,000 passengers annually, describing the figure as modest when compared to established aviation hubs such as Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, which records over five million passengers each year.
The INGRA Executive Director further warned that several state-owned airports across Nigeria, including those in Jigawa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, and Bayelsa, have struggled with low traffic, irregular operations, and limited economic returns despite significant investments.
He noted that many of these facilities have become underutilized assets that continue to strain public finances.
He also expressed concern that Kogi State’s proximity to Abuja could result in duplication rather than the creation of new demand, unless supported by strong and sustainable economic drivers.
On development priorities, Aliyu stressed that critical sectors such as housing, healthcare, education, and road infrastructure should take precedence due to their direct impact on citizens’ welfare and productivity.
According to him, investments in these areas typically yield faster and more inclusive economic benefits compared to large-scale aviation projects, which require an already vibrant economic base to succeed.
“With N50 billion earmarked for the airport, it is important to consider the alternative impact such funds could achieve if channelled into addressing housing deficits, improving road networks, and strengthening public services,” he said.
Aliyu also highlighted potential risks associated with the project, including underutilisation, high maintenance costs, and long-term fiscal pressure, particularly if financed through borrowing.
However, he acknowledged that the project could present opportunities if properly aligned with the state’s economic strengths, particularly in agriculture and other sectors where it holds a comparative advantage.
Aliyu noted that Kogi’s central location could support the development of a logistics and agro-export hub, provided the airport is effectively integrated with road infrastructure, industrial clusters, and value chains in agriculture and mining.
He added that achieving such outcomes would require deliberate planning, strong private sector participation, and sustained complementary investments beyond the airport itself.
INGRA therefore called on the state government to ensure transparency, fiscal discipline, and measurable outcomes in the project’s execution, advocating for a phased, data-driven implementation strategy.
“Infrastructure should not only reflect ambition; it must respond to the realities of the people and deliver tangible, inclusive economic value,” Aliyu stated, adding that the long-term success of the project would depend not on its scale, but on its relevance, utilization, and overall contribution to the state’s economy.
Credit: Friday Idachaba
