A Nigerian senator has called for the immediate demolition of informal settlements around the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, citing security concerns and the need to maintain the capital’s global image.
Speaking during a Senate committee inspection of infrastructure near the airport, the senator expressed alarm over the growth of unplanned communities in the area, describing them as potential threats to aviation safety and national security.
“No modern capital city allows shanties to grow unchecked around its gateway,” the lawmaker stated. “This is the face of the country. These settlements must go if we are serious about positioning Abuja as a world-class capital.”
The senator urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to take swift action, noting that previous warnings about illegal developments had been largely ignored. He stressed that maintaining the integrity of the airport corridor is essential not just for aesthetics, but for operational safety and urban planning.
Residents of some of the affected settlements have appealed for a more humane approach, requesting relocation plans or compensation if demolition becomes inevitable.
The FCTA is yet to issue an official response to the senator’s remarks.
