Fact-check: Did Federal Government Allocate N4bn in Proposed 2025 Budget to Construct Presidential Helipad and Jetty in Lagos?

By: Sultan Usman

Claim:

A page Named Nigeria Stories on X posted a claim on 5th of January 2025 that the federal Government of Nigeria has allocated N4 billion for the construction of a presidential helipad and jetty in Lagos, as stated in the 2025 Federal Government Final Budget Proposal.

Verdict:

The claim that the Federal Government of Nigeria has allocated N4 billion for the construction of a presidential helipad and jetty in Lagos is TRUE.

Full Text:

This information reportedly comes from the 2025 Federal Government Final Budget Proposal presented by President Bola Tinubu. The budget outlines various infrastructure projects nationwide, with a specific allocation of N4 billion for the construction of a presidential helipad and jetty in Lagos. This project is under the Ministry of Works and forms part of its broader infrastructure development agenda, which includes other major Lagos projects such as road rehabilitations and Third Mainland Bridge repairs.

This project is part of broader infrastructure development plans spearheaded by the Ministry of Works, which has a total allocation of over N1 trillion for various initiatives nationwide. The helipad and jetty are intended to facilitate quicker and more secure presidential travel, particularly in Lagos, a city plagued by traffic congestion and limited direct access routes for high-level officials.

The budget proposal also outlines other critical infrastructure projects in Lagos, such as the rehabilitation of Ogunusi Road in Ikeja (N4 billion), counterpart funding for the Lekki-7th Axial Road (N2 billion), and emergency repairs on the Third Mainland Bridge (N8 billion). While these projects address long-standing infrastructure needs, the helipad and jetty stand out as highly specific, raising questions about prioritization.

The helipad and jetty can improve mobility for the presidency, ensuring faster response times during emergencies or high-level events in Lagos

Direct and controlled access points like a helipad and jetty enhance the security of the President and other high-ranking official. Such facilities symbolize national prestige and modernization, aligning with Nigeria’s aspirations for infrastructural development. With a population struggling with poor healthcare, education, and basic infrastructure, allocating N4 billion for a presidential facility may not reflect the immediate needs of the majority.

Lagos already hosts significant transport infrastructure like airports, raising doubts about the necessity of an additional helipad and jetty solely for presidential use. Critics may argue that such projects could become avenues for inflated costs or corruption, given Nigeria’s history with poorly managed public fun

While the project may bolster Nigeria’s image, the funds could potentially be redirected to more impactful projects, such as urban public transport or flood management systems in Lagos. The helipad and jetty are designed for limited use by a select group of individuals, offering no direct benefit to the general populace.

While the helipad and jetty serve specific purposes for governance and security, they reflect a potential misalignment in resource allocation given Nigeria’s pressing social and infrastructural needs. For such a project to gain widespread acceptance, the government must ensure transparency in execution and balance this allocation with broader investments in projects that benefit the larger population.

Verification:

The claim originates from the Federal Government’s 2025 Final Budget Proposal. Reports from reputable outlets confirm the budget allocation for the helipad and jetty.

The Guardian Nigeria and Nairametrics detail the helipad and jetty allocation, citing official documents and presentations by the Ministry of Works.

The helipad and jetty project is mentioned alongside other Lagos infrastructure projects, indicating a legitimate budget inclusion. The 2025 budget proposal has yet to be approved by the National Assembly, meaning the project is planned but not yet finalized.There is no evidence or reports disputing the allocation.

Conclusion:

The claim is accurate based on verified sources, including the Federal Government’s 2025 budget proposal and reports from reputable media outlets. However, the budget is still a proposal awaiting legislative approval, meaning the allocation is planned but not guaranteed for implementation.