Airport: Abia Govt addresses land owners’ concerns over compensations
Abia State Government Responds to Landowners’ Protest Over Compensation
Abia State officials have addressed concerns raised by landowners in Nsulu following a protest last week regarding unpaid compensations for land acquired for the development of an airport city.
On February 17, 2026, protesters threatened to reclaim part of the 1,025 hectares in Nsulu, located in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, if they did not receive their payments in full.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Abia State government announced that payments for compensation would begin on February 23, 2026, for villagers whose lands are located outside the airport runway area.
Chaka Chukwumerije, the Commissioner for Lands, clarified that individuals from the villages of Umuala, Umuomainta, Umuezeukwu, Umuode, Umuosu, and Ubaha, whose properties were situated on the runway, had already received their full compensation.
On February 18, 2026, a town hall meeting was held with community members to discuss the finalized compensation plans. During this meeting, Chukwumerije encouraged villagers whose properties are outside the runway area to review the published list of compensation beneficiaries and to submit any claims.
The commissioner assured the affected residents that they would receive their full compensation and emphasized that any allegations of corruption involving government staff or community members would be thoroughly investigated and addressed according to the law.
He also urged all claimants to register their names at the Ministry of Lands to facilitate the compensation process.
