Airport takeover: Tinubu seeks Reps’ backing for N100.5bn refund to Yobe

President Bola Tinubu has urged the House of Representatives to approve a N100.5bn promissory note programme to reimburse the Yobe State Government for the takeover of the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport in Damaturu, the state capital.

The request was conveyed in a letter read by the Speaker, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, during plenary on Tuesday, as lawmakers resumed legislative business after their annual recess.

Under the proposal, the Federal Government would reimburse Yobe State for the cost of the airport through a promissory note to be issued by the Debt Management Office.

Tinubu said the Federal Executive Council approved the takeover of the airport, constructed by the state government, at an extraordinary meeting held on May 23, 2023, alongside a decision to reimburse the state through the promissory note arrangement.

“I write to request the approval of the House of Representatives for the establishment of a promissory note programme for the reimbursement of the Yobe State Government for the takeover of Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Damaturu,” the letter read in part.

He disclosed that the Bureau of Public Procurement had reviewed the project and recommended N100,509,017,255 as the amount payable to the state.

“In the light of the foregoing, I urge the House of Representatives to consider and approve the establishment and issuance by the Debt Management Office of a promissory note programme in the sum of N100,509,017,255 for the reimbursement of the Yobe State Government for the takeover of Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Damaturu,” Tinubu said.

The proposed reimbursement would formalise the Federal Government’s financial obligation to Yobe State following the airport’s takeover. However, the request remains subject to consideration and approval by the National Assembly.

In separate communications to the House, the President transmitted the National Research Development Fund Bill for consideration, alongside proposed legislation on the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

The two international-law proposals are the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols Bill, 2026, and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Enforcement Bill, 2026.

In his letter transmitting the bills, Tinubu stated, “Pursuant to Section 50A of Section 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I forward herewith the Geneva Convention and Additional Protocols Bill 2026 and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Enforcement Bill 2026 for the kind consideration of the House of Representatives.”

The Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols Bill seeks to repeal the existing Geneva Convention Act and incorporate into Nigerian law the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, and two Additional Protocols adopted on June 8, 1977.

The proposed law would update Nigeria’s domestic legal framework for implementing its obligations under international humanitarian law, particularly the protection of people affected by armed conflicts.

The Geneva Conventions establish rules governing the treatment of wounded and sick members of armed forces, prisoners of war and civilians during armed conflicts. Their Additional Protocols expand and clarify protections under international humanitarian law.

The second proposal, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Enforcement Bill, 2026, seeks to provide for the domestic implementation and enforcement of the Rome Statute and establish provisions for punishing genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and related offences.

It also seeks to provide a framework for Nigeria’s cooperation with the ICC in the discharge of its functions.

The proposed legislation could strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to investigate and prosecute grave international crimes within the scope of the applicable law, while facilitating cooperation with the international court.

The requests came as the House began its final phase of legislative work, with Abbas identifying the bills transmitted by the President as among the proposals requiring prompt and careful consideration.

In his resumption address, the Speaker singled out the National Research Development Fund Bill and the proposals concerning the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols as important items for legislative attention.

He said the international-law proposals carried national and diplomatic significance, particularly in strengthening protections for civilians, wounded persons and prisoners during armed conflicts.

Abbas commended Tinubu for forwarding the proposals and expressed the House’s readiness to discharge its constitutional responsibilities in considering them.

The transmission of the bills places their consideration before lawmakers, who will determine the next steps in the legislative process.