Why Anambra Should Not Build a Second Airport

In recent months, Anambra State government has started building what they call a second international airport in Ndikelionwu, Orumba North Local Government Area. Officials say this project is part of a bigger plan to create an industrial city. Supporters in the government believe this airport will create millions of jobs, boost local revenue, attract investments in manufacturing, medicine, and logistics, and improve tourism. They also think it will help reduce travel stress for people in the south of the state, who now use airports in Enugu or Owerri. The aim is to make Anambra a key player in aviation and improve the movement of goods.

But a closer look at the current Chinua Achebe International Airport in Umueri shows these claims might be too optimistic. This airport opened in December 2021 and has been in use for almost five years. In that time, it has seen about six hundred thousand passengers and eight thousand six hundred flights. This averages to fewer than five flights a day and around three hundred and thirty passengers daily. Even with seasonal changes, these numbers are too low to justify the costs of running an international airport. Last year, Nigeria's domestic aviation saw about thirteen million passenger movements, and Anambra's airport contributed little. Airports like Asaba have attracted more passengers, while major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt lead by a wide margin.

Additionally, the trend in Nigeria and much of sub-Saharan Africa shows it is hard to keep secondary airports running without enough demand. Many airports built by states in the last fifteen years have needed government funding for upkeep and staff long after they opened. The high costs for runways, terminals, and safety measures are not matched by the low number of passengers and cargo. Short flights that could benefit Anambra often turn out to be unprofitable for airlines because of costs and the fact that better road networks make travel to Enugu or Owerri faster and cheaper. Cargo operations for farm products and high-value goods have also not taken off in Umueri, failing to show enough demand to support a new airport.

The push for a second airport seems more about dreams of future growth than real current traffic numbers. Even if we look past that, the claim that the new airport will create millions of jobs should be treated with caution. While construction can bring temporary jobs, lasting jobs in aviation and related fields usually require specialized skills that may not be readily available in the area at first. The potential benefits from supply chains and spending are real but usually less than the big numbers suggest, especially when the core operations do not reach full capacity.

Past examples from other Nigerian states that went for similar projects show that hopeful job predictions often fall flat as costs rise after the initial excitement fades. Airports succeed when they serve areas with many travelers or act as efficient cargo hubs backed by strong export levels. Neither of these conditions seems to be in place for the proposed Ndikelionwu airport.

Looking at the national economy in 2026, there is also a need to be careful with public money. The country has seen GDP growth of about four percent in recent years, thanks to services, oil, and agriculture. But this growth has not improved the financial situation for many households. Real income growth has been slow, and many families are still recovering from earlier economic shocks.

Inflation has dropped from more than thirty percent in 2024 to around twenty-three percent in 2025, but it rose again to about fifteen point nine percent by May 2026 due to fuel price hikes linked to global supply issues. Persistent inflation is squeezing real incomes, making construction and aviation more expensive, and tightening budgets for salaries, pensions, and basic services.

Public debt, while lower than GDP in some recent reports, still takes a big chunk of revenue for servicing. Fiscal deficits are about two to three percent of GDP. States rely heavily on monthly federal allocations, which are affected by oil production and national revenue. In this situation, every major spending decision comes with costs in other areas, especially when those investments involve long-term projects that need a thriving economy to succeed.

Anambra has made noticeable progress in several areas, particularly in roads that have improved travel within and between states. These improvements should be maintained and integrated with other transport options instead of spreading resources thin across many large projects. The existing airport at Umueri, despite its low usage, still represents an investment that could bring better returns if paired with focused efforts like developing airline routes and improving marketing for the state.

Nowhere is there a stronger case for re-prioritising than in housing. Major cities like Awka, Onitsha, and Nnewi face constant pressure on housing due to urban growth, migration, and limited formal supply. Rents are rising, taking up bigger parts of budgets for many workers, especially self-employed traders and artisans who are vital to local markets. For these small business owners, high rents cut into profits, limit inventory, and make it hard to grow.

People with jobs also struggle to find decent housing close to work, leading to long commutes or crowded living conditions that affect productivity. High housing costs reduce the money available for business growth, education, and health care, stifling the entrepreneurial spirit that makes these areas unique. A large housing initiative that involves public-private partnerships could tackle this issue directly and improve living standards for many.

This plan would have the government provide land, fast approvals, and necessary infrastructure while inviting private developers to create mixed-income housing that meets modern standards. This could include affordable homes for young families and low-income workers, along with apartments for higher-income residents. Because construction needs a lot of labour and local materials, it would create jobs and stimulate the economy right away.

Local builders and suppliers of construction materials would benefit, while the housing estates would eventually broaden the tax base, regulate parts of the rental market, and help manage urban growth. The economic benefits from this type of investment generally exceed those from airport projects because housing demand is stable.

The risks between these two options are also different. A second airport needs a large investment at one site, depending on air travel growth that current data does not support. It also has issues like protests from farmers over land acquisition, which can lead to lawsuits and delays. In contrast, a housing program spreads investment over many sites and involves various private partners, encouraging community involvement. Experience with public-private housing projects shows that they can attract private money quickly and deliver homes at a level that public projects often struggle to achieve.

Moreover, the housing plan fits well with the national goal to promote inclusive growth. With poverty still high and real income growth slow, efforts to lower living costs for families and small businesses can bring significant social benefits. Reducing rent helps free up money for investment and spending, which supports local businesses. In busy areas like Onitsha and Nnewi, affordable housing also keeps workers and boosts productivity, making the state more appealing to skilled workers needed for industry.

Good leadership during times of economic strain is about choosing investments that benefit the many, understand risks, and consider costs carefully. Anambra has strong business centers, improving roads, and a hardworking population. These strengths can be better used by optimizing current infrastructure and addressing housing needs rather than rushing to build another airport that has not proven it can bring the expected traffic.

By focusing on a significant housing program in the key communities, the government would relieve daily pressure on residents, promote wider economic activity, and build a foundation for more resilient urban growth. This approach would show wise management of resources, align spending with needs, and ultimately strengthen Anambra's social and economic fabric in ways that a second airport has not yet proven it can achieve.