President Bola Tinubu has asked the House of Representatives to approve a N100.5 billion promissory note programme to compensate the Yobe State Government for the takeover of the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport in Damaturu.
The request was contained in a letter read by Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House, when lawmakers resumed plenary following their annual recess.
In the letter, Tinubu recalled that the Federal Executive Council, at an extraordinary meeting held on May 23, 2023, approved the federal government’s takeover of the airport, which was constructed by the Yobe State Government, as well as the reimbursement of its construction cost through a promissory note programme.
The president said the Bureau of Public Procurement had completed its review of the project and recommended N100,509,017,255 as the amount payable to the state.
He therefore urged the House to approve the establishment and issuance of the promissory note by the Debt Management Office to facilitate the reimbursement.
In a separate development, the President forwarded three legislative proposals to the House for consideration, including the National Research Development Fund Bill, 2026, the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols Bill, 2026, and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Enforcement Bill, 2026.
The proposals were transmitted in separate communications in which Tinubu sought the lawmakers’ consideration and approval.
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According to the President, the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols Bill, 2026, seeks to repeal the existing Geneva Convention Act and incorporate the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, alongside the two Additional Protocols adopted on June 8, 1977, into Nigeria’s domestic legal framework.
The proposed legislation is designed to update Nigeria’s laws governing its obligations under international humanitarian law, particularly the protection of people affected by armed conflicts.
Similarly, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Enforcement Bill, 2026, seeks to give legal effect to the Rome Statute in Nigeria and establish provisions for the enforcement and punishment of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and related offences.
The bill also proposes a framework for Nigeria’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court in the discharge of its responsibilities.
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The Speaker promised prompt legislative action
Reacting to the President’s submissions, Tajudeen assured that the House would give the proposals and other requests from the executive careful and timely consideration.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th National Assembly to prioritising significant legislative measures, particularly the National Research Development Fund Bill and the proposals aimed at domesticating the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols.
The Speaker highlighted the national and diplomatic significance of the proposed legislation on the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute.
He noted that their passage would strengthen legal protections for civilians, wounded persons and prisoners during armed conflicts.
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