President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approached the Nigerian Senate for approval of a ₦100.5 billion promissory note programme to reimburse the Yobe State Government for the cost of constructing the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport in Damaturu.
The request is among several legislative matters transmitted by the President to the Senate for consideration, including proposed reforms to the legal framework governing the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), amendments to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau Act, and a bill seeking to establish a National School of Government.
The proposed promissory note programme is intended to compensate the Yobe State Government for its expenditure on the airport project, which is expected to strengthen air cargo operations, improve transportation infrastructure, and support economic activities in the state.
If approved by the Senate, the programme would provide a formal financial mechanism for reimbursing the state government for the funds committed to the project.
The Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport in Damaturu is a major infrastructure project for Yobe State, with the potential to improve the movement of goods, facilitate commercial activities, and create opportunities for businesses and investors.
Beyond the airport reimbursement request, President Tinubu has also forwarded bills aimed at strengthening key public institutions and improving governance through legislative reforms.
One of the proposed measures concerns the legal framework governing the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the federal agency responsible for combating illicit drug trafficking and related offences.
The President has also sought legislative consideration of amendments to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau Act. The proposed changes are part of a broader legislative agenda involving the country’s institutional and regulatory framework.
Another bill seeks to establish a National School of Government, an initiative intended to provide an institutional framework for developing public-sector leadership, improving administrative capacity, and strengthening governance practices.
The proposals will require consideration by the National Assembly in line with the legislative process. Their eventual passage and implementation will depend on the outcome of deliberations by lawmakers.
The latest requests highlight the Federal Government’s engagement with the National Assembly on infrastructure financing, institutional reforms, and the development of public administration in Nigeria.
Further details on the Senate’s consideration of the proposals and the specific provisions of the bills are expected as the legislative process progresses.
