Public affairs commentator Mahdi Shehu has alleged bias by the Federal Government after the flag‑off of a ₦25 billion ecumenical chapel project at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The ceremony took place on 26 April 2026 and was attended by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Archbishop Daniel Okoh, and other senior officials. According to SGF Akume, the chapel is intended to serve as a “confluence of faith and progress,” addressing passengers’ physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Archbishop Okoh added that travelers require a space where they can regain calm before boarding an aircraft.
Shehu highlighted the involvement of high‑level officials as evidence that the project enjoys full government backing. “For this project to be flagged off by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Aviation Minister means the President is fully aware and has given his consent,” he wrote in a post on X on Wednesday night.
The commentator also raised concerns about the allocation of land for the chapel, suggesting that senior government figures must have approved the site. He questioned when Muslim travellers would receive a comparable allocation for a mosque at the airport, asking, “When will equal financial contribution be provided to the Muslim faithful as was done for CAN?” and whether officials would attend a groundbreaking ceremony for such a project.
Shehu further queried whether Muslim ministers would be invited to perform similar roles and called for a disclaimer from P‑ABT stating a lack of awareness of the ₦25 billion Federal government‑CAN project to maintain perceived neutrality.
He warned that without equal treatment, the initiative could be seen as partisan. “This ₦25 billion project is an equation with two variables, one known and the other unknown. For the picture to become clear, the equation must be balanced,” he wrote, adding a metaphor about unequal distribution of resources.
The remarks have sparked a debate on religious inclusivity in public infrastructure projects in Nigeria. Observers note that the government has previously supported facilities for various faiths, but concrete plans for a mosque at the airport have not been announced. The issue may prompt further dialogue between religious groups and federal authorities regarding equitable provision of worship spaces in national transport hubs.
