In a bid to maintain continuous power at Nigerian airports, the federal government allocated a hefty sum of N8.73 billion in 2024. A significant portion of this expenditure went towards ensuring the new international terminal at Abuja’s main airport remained well-lit, as reported by BudgIT’s latest GovSpend analysis.
Of the total amount, a major share was directed to J. Marine Logistics Ltd, the company tasked with supplying power to the airports. The breakdown of payments shows that between March and September 2023, J. Marine received N5.67 billion for its services. In May 2024, another N2.19 billion was paid for the period spanning October to December 2023, followed by an additional N874.42 million on the same day.
The persistent power issues at Abuja’s airport have caused major disruptions, affecting essential systems such as runway lighting, baggage handling, and security operations. These power failures have been especially problematic during peak hours and nighttime, raising safety concerns.
Looking ahead, the Nigerian government has budgeted a significant N105.95 billion for aviation in 2025. This is a marked increase from the N63.32 billion spent in 2024, reflecting the growing investment in the sector. Among the earmarked funds, N5 billion is set aside for power supply improvements at airports in Lagos, Abuja, and other regions. Additionally, another N5 billion will be allocated for the development of aerospace facilities in Abuja.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo highlighted the high costs of electricity consumption in the country’s airports, revealing that Lagos airport alone spends about N1 billion monthly on power. In a bid to reduce these expenses, he mentioned ongoing efforts to shift towards solar power as a more sustainable and cost-effective solution. “Lagos airport alone, I am told, we spend N1 billion monthly on electricity. That is still something I am trying to crack,” Keyamo stated in May 2024.
This investment in aviation infrastructure and energy solutions is aimed at improving the efficiency and sustainability of Nigeria’s airports, ensuring smoother operations and enhanced services for passengers.
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