President Bola Tinubu has asked the House of Representatives to approve the issuance of a ₦100.5 billion promissory note to reimburse the Yobe State Government for the construction of the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport in Damaturu, following its takeover by the Federal Government.
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The request was contained in a letter read on the floor of the House by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas when lawmakers resumed plenary after their annual recess.
Tinubu recalled that the Federal Executive Council, at an extraordinary meeting held on May 23, 2023, approved the Federal Government’s takeover of the airport, which was constructed by the Yobe State Government, as well as reimbursement of the construction cost through a promissory note programme.
According to the President, the Bureau of Public Procurement subsequently reviewed the project and recommended ₦100,509,017,255 as the amount payable to the state government.
He therefore asked the House to approve the establishment and issuance of the promissory note by the Debt Management Office to facilitate the reimbursement.
The request places the proposed repayment before the National Assembly for legislative approval before the Debt Management Office can proceed with the promissory note arrangement.
In separate communications to the House, Tinubu also transmitted three legislative proposals for consideration: the National Research Development Fund Bill, 2026; the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols Bill, 2026; and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Enforcement Bill, 2026.
The President said the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols Bill seeks to repeal the existing Geneva Convention Act and domesticate the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, alongside the Additional Protocols adopted on June 8, 1977.
The proposed law is intended to update Nigeria’s domestic legal framework on international humanitarian law, including protections for civilians, wounded persons and others affected by armed conflict.
The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Enforcement Bill, meanwhile, seeks to give domestic legal effect to the Rome Statute and provide a framework for the investigation and punishment of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and related offences.
It also proposes a legal framework for Nigeria’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court.
Reacting to the communications from the President, Speaker Abbas assured that the House would give the requests and legislative proposals prompt and careful consideration.
He said the proposed legislation on the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute carried national and diplomatic importance, particularly in strengthening legal protections for civilians, wounded persons and prisoners during armed conflict.
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