By Muhammad Mamman
The Federal Government has proposed a total allocation of ₦87.31 billion for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and its agencies in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, with a significant proportion of the funds earmarked for capital expenditure.
Details of the budget proposal show that the allocation is aimed at accelerating infrastructure development, improving aviation safety, and strengthening regulatory oversight across the sector. Capital spending is expected to dominate the ministry’s envelope, reflecting the government’s focus on airport modernisation, navigational facilities, and other critical aviation infrastructure.
Officials familiar with the proposal said the emphasis on capital projects aligns with ongoing reforms in the aviation industry, including efforts to upgrade ageing facilities, enhance passenger experience, and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness as a regional aviation hub.
The allocation also covers statutory agencies under the ministry, which are responsible for safety regulation, airspace management, meteorological services and accident investigation. Recurrent expenditure, including personnel costs and overheads, accounts for a smaller share of the proposed spending.
The 2026 Appropriation Bill, currently before the National Assembly, will be scrutinised by lawmakers in the coming weeks, with sectoral allocations subject to possible adjustments during the budget defence process.
If approved as proposed, the aviation budget is expected to provide a fiscal push for long-delayed projects and support the government’s broader agenda of economic growth, connectivity and job creation through the aviation and aerospace sector.
