(Ecofin Agency) - The government of Nigeria says it has plans to build ten new airports across the country. This was announced this week by Hadi Sirika (pictured), the Minister of Aviation. 

According to the official, the new plan aims at boosting civil aviation and improving the performance of the Nigerian aviation sector which has already undergone several restructuring attempts in recent years. The new infrastructure will be implemented in several states of the country, including Anambra, Benue, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, and Gombe. In the states of Kebbi, Osubi, and Dutse, the existing airports will be refurbished.

The strategy is part of the recovery plan for the Nigerian air sector implemented since 2015 by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. “From 2015 till now, we’ve seen a lot of growth in civil aviation, the number of airports is increasing. So far, about seven airports have been added to the map, some of them completed, others under construction,” he said.

Last week, the official said the government's goal is now to double the number of airports in the country from 31 to 62 by 2023. For 2021, his ministry will benefit from a capital budget of 89.97 billion naira ($236 million). “We will not leave this government without having it in place,” he said.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou