Nigeria’s capital is not being relocated to Lagos, former presidential aide Josef Onoh has said, dismissing claims of a covert plan by President Bola Tinubu. Onoh described the allegation as misleading and rooted in misrepresentation of routine administrative decisions.
The controversy followed an opinion article by Mohammed Bello Doka, which suggested that Tinubu’s administration was quietly shifting Nigeria’s capital through budgetary and administrative actions. The narrative framed the moves as regional favoritism, triggering online debate and political reactions.
In a statement, Onoh said concerns about equity and federal balance were legitimate but insisted the claims crossed into distortion. He criticized what he described as an inaccurate narrative being circulated without proper verification.
Onoh, a former South-East spokesman to President Tinubu and ex-member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, expressed disappointment that the article gained traction after being reposted by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai. He said the development was painful, especially given his respect for El-Rufai despite public controversies surrounding him.
He also faulted the President’s media handlers, saying they failed to proactively and respectfully defend government policies. According to him, the silence allowed false narratives to spread unchecked, both locally and internationally.
Addressing claims surrounding the relocation of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) headquarters, Onoh said the allegation was “laughable.” He explained that FAAN’s corporate headquarters was returned to Lagos in 2024, its long-standing base, for operational efficiency.
Onoh noted that Lagos accounts for over 60 percent of Nigeria’s air traffic, making it impractical to manage aviation operations from Abuja. He said the previous relocation to Abuja created logistical challenges, including inadequate office space and excessive travel costs.
He added that consultations were held with stakeholders, including aviation unions, and said the move was projected to save between ₦450 million and ₦500 million annually in travel expenses. Onoh said he personally discussed the issue with Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo during the initial controversy.
He urged Nigerians to separate policy decisions from political narratives and avoid fueling divisions through misinformation.
