The House of Representatives has approved a *N100.51 billion promissory note programme* to reimburse the Yobe State Government for constructing the *Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport in Damaturu*.
The exact amount approved is *N100,509,017,234.55*.
The resolution followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after reviewing the Federal Government’s request to settle the liability arising from its decision to take over the airport.
Chairman of the Committee, *Hon. Abubakar Nalaraba (APC, Nasarawa)*, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
He said the committee conducted thorough due diligence, including a physical inspection of the facility, before recommending approval.
> “After due diligence and considerations, and after undertaking comprehensive oversight of the airport, receiving the reports of technical officials at the Ministry of Aviation, Ministry of Finance and the accounting office, we recently considered and approved the reimbursement of the airport to Yobe State Government,” Nalaraba said.
According to the committee’s report:
– The Federal Ministry of Aviation inspected the airport and confirmed the quality of work met standards for federal takeover.
– The Yobe State Government had fully paid the contractors who executed the project.
– The *Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)* certified that due process was followed, with a Certificate of No Objection issued.
Nalaraba stressed: *”This is reimbursement. This money has been spent.”* — noting that Yobe went ahead to build the airport even though aviation is on the exclusive legislative list.
The approval was sequel to President *Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s* request letter read on the floor of the House on October 13, 2026, seeking National Assembly approval in line with the Debt Management Office Act and Fiscal Responsibility Act.
A committee member from Yobe, Hon. Mohammed Jajere, said the airport could become a cargo hub for the North-East, moving farm produce and raw materials out of the agrarian state.
