“It is a lie that I spent N100bn” – Hadi Sirika defends failed Nigeria Air project
Hadi Sirika, a former aviation minister, has denied allegations that he mismanaged funds in the controversial Nigeria Air project.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday, Sirika insisted that the initiative was conceived with “good intentions” and followed due process.
“It is a lie that I spent N100 billion and it is lost in the process,” he said.
“The total budget for the national carrier was N5bn, the total amount released was N3 billion and I left the ministry with over N1 billion.
“A public-private partnership which was regulated by the Infrastructure Concessioning Regulatory Commission which gave certificates and participated actively in the process.”
Sirika, has also dismissed reports linking him to an opposition coalition working against President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sirika, who served two terms under former President Muhammadu Buhari, made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Wednesday.
“No, I am not,” Sirika said when asked if he had joined the coalition reportedly led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He confirmed that he visited the Presidential Villa on Tuesday and met with the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, where the issue was raised.
“Yesterday, I was with Chief Bayo Onanuga in the Presidential Villa, and he said I was in the coalition. I told him I was not and never will be. He said he got that from reports. People can join coalitions — it is democracy,” Sirika stated.
Corruption and abuse of power Allegations
Nigeria Air was unveiled in May 2023 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The project began operations with a Boeing 737-800 but quickly stalled, sparking public criticism and allegations of fraud.
Since leaving office, Sirika has been facing trial over alleged corruption and abuse of office.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused him of awarding multi-billion naira contracts to companies linked to his daughter, Fatima Sirika, and his son-in-law, Jalal Hamma.
He was also accused of splitting a N2.7 billion aviation contract to bypass regulatory approvals and awarding it to family-controlled companies.
The EFCC further alleged that Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, owned by his daughter and son-in-law, received N1.3 billion for an unexecuted contract.
In 2023, Sirika claimed the ministry spent nearly N3 billion on consultants, staff salaries, and the Abuja office of Nigeria Air.
