The Federal Government has proposed a N87.31 billion allocation for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and its agencies in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, with the majority of the funds directed toward capital projects aimed at enhancing infrastructure, safety and service delivery across the industry.
The budget breakdown, contained in the government’s proposal to the National Assembly, shows a marked prioritisation of capital expenditure, which accounts for over 80 per cent of the total appropriation. A total of N70.19 billion is earmarked for infrastructure and other developmental projects, while N14.78 billion is set aside for personnel costs and N2.34 billion for overheads.
Among the entities under the aviation portfolio, the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development itself received the lion’s share, with N50.65 billion of the total budget. Of this amount, N48.55 billion is dedicated to capital projects, underlining the government’s insistence that physical and operational upgrades remain central to its aviation agenda. Personnel and overhead costs for the ministry are set at N1.35 billion and N745.74 million respectively.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) was allocated N11.84 billion, with N2.29 billion for capital expenditure, reflecting the agency’s increased role in weather forecasting and safety services critical to flight operations. However, personnel costs dominate NiMet’s segment of the budget at N9.15 billion, a reminder of its labour-intensive operations.
Similarly, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, is to receive N11.28 billion, which includes N6.54 billion for capital outlays, N4.28 billion for staffing and N464.44 million for overhead expenses.
The Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is slated for N6.3 billion entirely in capital funding, with no budgetary provision for personnel or overheads, highlighting the sector’s focus on upgrading technologies that manage the nation’s skies. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) was allocated N7.24 billion, including N6.51 billion for capital projects and N734.09 million for overhead costs.
Aviation stakeholders have welcomed the infrastructure-centric approach, which aligns with repeated statements from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN. Keyamo has long argued that improvements to physical infrastructure, safety systems and service delivery frameworks are essential for building confidence in Nigeria’s aviation industry and attracting both domestic and international investment.
Although the 2026 allocation is lower compared to some previous budget cycles, the heavy emphasis on capital spending mirrors broader sectoral trends. Analysts note that this strategy reflects an industry grappling with fiscal constraints while still needing to expand and modernise facilities, including runway extensions, navigational systems and airport terminals.
The current aviation budget forms part of a larger national infrastructure agenda emphasised by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which has invested significantly in major airport rehabilitation and modernisation projects across the country. Last year, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved nearly N987 billion in aviation infrastructure upgrades, designed to improve terminal facilities, runways and safety systems, indicative of the strategic importance attached to the sector.
However, the aviation sector’s overall budget allocation for 2026 is about 23 per cent lower than the N113.19 billion approved in the 2025 fiscal cycle, reflecting tightening fiscal conditions and the government’s renewed focus on prioritising capital over recurrent expenditures.
Stakeholders in the aviation industry, including operators, regulators and civil society, have underscored that while capital investments are essential, sustained improvements also require strategic policy frameworks, efficient regulatory oversight and increased private sector participation. The budget’s tilt toward capital outlays may help accelerate stalled projects and foster safer, more efficient travel networks nationwide.
As the National Assembly reviews the 2026 budget proposal, lawmakers are expected to scrutinise the allocations to ensure that the funds are deployed transparently and effectively to support Nigeria’s aviation growth goals.
