FG: Feeding Terminals, Starving the Nation: ₦712 Billion and the Collapse of Common Sense

PRESS RELEASE

Society for the Welfare of Unemployed Youths of Nigeria (SWUYN)

6th August, 2025

Feeding Terminals, Starving the Nation: ₦712 Billion and the Collapse of Common SenseFG:

The Society for the Welfare of Unemployed Youths of Nigeria (SWUYN) expresses deep outrage over the Federal Government’s decision to commit a staggering ₦712 billion to renovate the Lagos International Airport, a terminal that was newly renovated for ₦106 billion just two years and three months ago.

At a time when over 33% of Nigeria’s labour force remains unemployed, and more than 63% of the population is multidimensionally poor, such expenditure reflects a complete disconnection from the lived realities of everyday Nigerians. This is not governance with empathy or wisdom but a blatant affront to struggling citizens who wake up daily to rising costs, vanishing jobs, and decaying social support.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, youth unemployment remains one of the biggest national threats, with millions of graduates unable to access even the most basic opportunities. Food inflation has crossed 40%, public education is collapsing, and thousands of small businesses are shutting down due to lack of electricity, grants, and access to capital. In the face of all this, what sense does it make to allocate ₦712 billion to renovate a terminal that serves a privileged minority?

The original renovation of the same terminal under the last administration cost ₦106 billion. Even with adjustments for inflation and enhancements, the current figure is neither reasonable nor believable. What justifies an increase of over 570% on a project already considered complete? No breakdown, public engagement, and clear explanation, just another signature on another colossal spending spree.

While government officials continue to make high-profile appearances at summits and conferences, the youth of this country remain excluded, jobless, unheard, and unprotected. Most cannot afford daily transport, let alone a flight ticket. It is, therefore, a grave insult to allocate such national wealth to a location and facility that the majority of citizens will never step foot in.

This generation of Nigerian youths is not asking for handouts. We are demanding responsibility, accountability, and priorities that reflect the pain and aspirations of the people. No nation can grow when it spends more on marble floors than on minds, more on buildings than on building people.

We reject this misplaced priority in its entirety. It is not just fiscally irresponsible; it is morally bankrupt. The Nigerian state cannot continue to abandon the unemployed and suffering masses while lavishing billions on prestige projects. A nation that neglects its youth is engineering its own collapse.

This moment must not pass like every other. We are raising our voices not to make noise, but to make history. We are watching, we are recording, and we will continue to speak truth to power, not for attention, but for justice.

Signed:

Comrade Preye Tambou
National President, SWUYN

Through:
Comr. Ogbeide Oluwasegun Clinton
Acting National PRO, SWUYN

Comr. David E. Monday
Acting National Media & Publicity, SWUYN

Contact:
📧 info@swuyn.org.ng
🌐 www.swuyn.org.ng
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