President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve a proposed ₦100.5 billion reimbursement to Yobe State for constructing the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport in Damaturu. The request raises important questions about the cost of the project, the Federal Government's takeover and the use of public funds.

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, asked the Nigerian Senate to approve a promissory note programme worth ₦100,509,017,234.55 to reimburse the Yobe State Government for constructing the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport in Damaturu.

In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President requested legislative approval for the Debt Management Office (DMO) to issue the promissory notes needed to settle the proposed reimbursement.

According to the letter, the Federal Executive Council approved the airport's takeover by the Federal Government and the reimbursement arrangement at its second extraordinary meeting on May 23, 2023.

The Bureau of Public Procurement subsequently reviewed the project and reportedly recommended approximately ₦100.5 billion as the amount payable to the state.

The proposed reimbursement concerns a major public infrastructure project in Yobe State, where the airport is intended to support cargo transportation and economic activity.

If the Federal Government completes the takeover and reimbursement process, the arrangement could affect public finances because the proposed settlement is substantial. The amount and the terms of the arrangement therefore warrant careful scrutiny by lawmakers and the relevant government institutions.
Advertisement

For Yobe residents and businesses, the airport's long-term value will depend on more than the construction itself. Its practical contribution will also depend on cargo operations, transport connections, business activity and the extent to which it supports employment and trade.

However, the proposed reimbursement alone does not establish how much economic benefit the airport currently generates or how many jobs it supports. Those questions require separate evidence.

In the letter reported by PUNCH, Tinubu urged lawmakers to approve the establishment and issuance of the promissory note programme.

The President requested approval for a total of ₦100,509,017,234.55 through the Debt Management Office.

He also asked the Senate to expedite consideration of the request.

The proposal is a reimbursement arrangement rather than a report of a payment already made to the Yobe State Government.

What Is a Promissory Note Programme?

A promissory note is a financial instrument that records a commitment to pay a specified amount under agreed terms.

In this case, the proposed programme would provide a framework for settling the amount recommended for reimbursement to Yobe State, subject to the required legislative approval and applicable conditions.

The arrangement is important because it involves a substantial public financial commitment. The precise repayment terms, payment schedule and fiscal implications would need to be established from the relevant official documents.

The report states that the request was referred to the relevant Senate committee for further legislative consideration.

That means the proposal was still undergoing consideration at the stage described in the report. It should not be interpreted as confirmation that the Senate had approved the programme or that Yobe State had received the money.
Advertisement

Separate reports published on October 13 also described a request to the House of Representatives concerning the proposed reimbursement. The proceedings in the two chambers should be distinguished when reporting the status of the approval process.

The next important developments include the Senate committee's consideration of the request, any subsequent legislative approval and the disclosure of the financial terms governing the proposed reimbursement.

The original project documents and procurement assessment could also help explain how the recommended amount was calculated.

For taxpayers, the central questions are whether the proposed reimbursement is adequately documented, whether the relevant procedures have been followed and what financial obligations the arrangement would place on the Federal Government.

For now, the key development is a request for legislative approval, not confirmation that ₦100.5 billion has been paid.

The airport's eventual economic value and the transparency of the reimbursement process will both matter to the public.