I Didn’t Spend N100 Billion on Air Nigeria, Clarifies Sirika

Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has refuted allegations that he expended N100 billion on the Nigeria Air initiative during the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

In an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday, Sirika asserted that all attempts to implement the project adhered to due process.

While countering claims of spending N100 billion, the former minister clarified that only approximately N3 billion of the total N5 billion budget was disbursed.

“It is false to claim that I expended N100 billion and it was lost in the process. The national carrier’s budget was N5 billion, with N3 billion released, and I departed the ministry with over N1 billion remaining.

“We meticulously followed every step of the ICRC process, culminating in the establishment of an airline.

“Certain entities, including Air Peace, United, and Azman, initiated legal proceedings, arguing that the government could not establish an airline while retaining a five per cent stake, which stalled the project.

“Had it not been for the court case, and had the government pursued the legal matter, we would have had the airline operational by now,” Sirika declared.

Sirika, who relinquished his office in 2023, is currently undergoing trial for alleged corruption and abuse of office.

He stands accused of awarding multi-billion naira contracts to family-owned companies, including those owned by his daughter, Fatima Sirika, and son-in-law, Jalal Hamma, as charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).