The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate over 11,800 abandoned federal government properties across Nigeria, collectively valued at more than N20 trillion.
The decision followed a motion presented during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda referenced a report by the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, which identified 11,866 neglected federal properties as of August 2021.
These represent roughly 63% of federal building projects initiated since independence. Chinda described the situation as a “colossal waste of national resources,” with many structures falling into disrepair due to neglect.
Key projects highlighted include the Federal Secretariat Complex, Ikoyi, Lagos; Nigerian International Hotel, Suleja; Millennium Tower, Abuja; National Library, Abuja; Nigerian Newsprint Manufacturing Company, Oku Iboku; Kaduna Textile Building; Nigerian Aluminium Smelting Company, Delta State; as well as multiple livestock and agricultural processing centres nationwide.
Chinda expressed concern that the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) on federal properties, established in 2000 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has yet to submit its official report—25 years later—raising transparency and accountability issues.
The motion noted that many properties have depreciated due to inflation and outdated designs and encouraged the government to explore Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to revitalize and repurpose the abandoned assets.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced that a special ad hoc committee will be formed to review the PIC report, verify the status of abandoned properties, and provide recommendations within six weeks. The motion was unanimously adopted by the House.
