Tinubu seeks Reps’ approval for N100.5bn Yobe airport refund, transmits three bills

By Mercy Aikoye

President Bola Tinubu has asked the House of Representatives to approve a N100.5 billion promissory note to reimburse the Yobe State Government for the takeover of the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Damaturu, while transmitting three legislative proposals aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s research, humanitarian and international criminal justice frameworks.

The requests were conveyed in separate presidential communications read by the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, when lawmakers resumed plenary after their annual recess.

In the airport reimbursement request, Tinubu sought the approval of the Green Chamber for the establishment of a promissory note programme valued at N100,509,017,255 to compensate Yobe State for the construction and subsequent takeover of the airport by the Federal Government.

The President explained that the Federal Executive Council, at an extraordinary meeting held on May 23, 2023, approved the takeover of the airport, which was constructed by the Yobe State Government, with reimbursement to be made through a promissory note programme.

He further disclosed that the Bureau of Public Procurement had completed its review of the project and recommended N100.5 billion as the amount payable to the state.

Tinubu urged the lawmakers to approve the issuance of the promissory note by the Debt Management Office to facilitate the reimbursement.

Beyond the airport transaction, the President also forwarded the National Research Development Fund Bill to the House for consideration, alongside the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols Bill, 2026, and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Enforcement Bill, 2026.

The proposed Geneva Conventions legislation seeks to repeal the existing Geneva Convention Act and update Nigeria’s domestic legal framework for implementing the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, and the two Additional Protocols adopted on June 8, 1977.

If enacted, the legislation would strengthen the legal framework for protecting civilians, wounded persons and other individuals affected by armed conflicts, in line with Nigeria’s international humanitarian law obligations.

Similarly, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Enforcement Bill, 2026, seeks to provide a legal framework for implementing the Rome Statute in Nigeria, including provisions for the prosecution and punishment of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and related offences.

The bill also proposes a framework for Nigeria’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court in the discharge of its mandate.

The National Research Development Fund Bill, which was also transmitted by the President, is among the legislative proposals the Speaker identified as a priority for the 10th National Assembly.

Responding to the presidential communications, Tajudeen assured that the House would give prompt and careful consideration to the proposals, alongside other requests before the lawmakers.

He noted that the bills on the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute carried significant national and diplomatic implications, particularly in strengthening legal safeguards for people affected by armed conflicts.

The Speaker commended Tinubu for transmitting the proposals and expressed confidence that the House would discharge its legislative responsibilities in considering the bills and other presidential requests.

The requests are expected to put the lawmakers’ attention on both the Federal Government’s financial obligations arising from the airport takeover and proposed legal reforms covering research development, humanitarian protection and international criminal justice.

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