The House of Representatives has approved the formation of an ad hoc committee to investigate abandoned federal lands and buildings across Nigeria, valued at over ₦20 trillion. The decision followed a motion of urgent national importance by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) on Wednesday.
Motion Aims to Recover Public Assets
Chinda cited Order 8, Rule 5 of the House Standing Orders and Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). He said the probe is intended to prevent waste and ensure the recovery of national assets.
A 2021 report by the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors revealed 11,866 abandoned federal projects nationwide, accounting for 63% of projects since independence.
Key Abandoned Federal Properties
Notable abandoned properties include:
- Federal Secretariat Complex, Ikoyi, Lagos
- Nigerian International Hotel, Suleja, Niger State
- Millennium Tower, Abuja
- Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Building, Abia State
- National Library Headquarters, Abuja
- Nigerian Newsprint Manufacturing Company, Kaduna
- Kaduna Textile Building
- Nigerian Aluminium Smelting Company, Delta State
Concerns Over Accountability
Chinda expressed concern that the Presidential Implementation Committee on Federal Government Properties, set up in 2000, has yet to submit a final report. He said this delay raises serious questions about transparency and accountability.
He also noted that decades of neglect have caused many buildings to deteriorate, while inflation and outdated designs further reduce their value.
Public-Private Partnerships Recommended
To restore these assets, Chinda proposed strategic interventions, especially through public-private partnerships (PPPs). He emphasized that the government can save these properties and prevent further loss.
Next Steps
The House unanimously adopted the motion. The ad hoc committee will:
- Review existing reports
- Verify the status of abandoned properties
- Recommend recovery strategies, including private sector participation
The committee is expected to report back within six weeks for further legislative action.
