The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has reversed its earlier plan to relocate to the newly completed Industrial Training Fund (ITF) building in Maitama, Abuja. Instead, the ministry has opted to rehabilitate its longstanding headquarters located at the Old Federal Secretariat in the capital city.
This development follows a recent meeting between the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, and a delegation from China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Limited. The discussion, held at the Bank of Industry where the minister currently operates, focused on the proposed renovation of the ministry’s decades-old premises and broader plans for industrial collaboration between Nigeria and China.
According to Enoh, the visit from CCECC, led by Director John Zhao, was aimed at exploring how the firm could support the rehabilitation project and contribute to national industrial development goals. He also revealed that discussions extended to potential partnerships on establishing Industrial Development Centres in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
“I was impressed by their experience and reaffirmed the ministry’s openness to partnerships that align with our national goals,” the minister shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account. “We hope to work together on vocational hubs that drive inclusive industrial growth.”
This decision marks a clear departure from earlier commitments made under former Minister Doris Uzoka-Aniete, who last year unveiled plans to relocate the ministry’s operations to the ITF building in Maitama. At the time, Uzoka-Aniete announced that the move would follow completion of interior works, contingent on budgetary approval.
Indeed, the 2024 national budget allocated over ₦2.1 billion for the relocation initiative. Budget lines included ₦500 million for new furniture, ₦582.7 million for building maintenance, and another ₦500 million for the creation of new office spaces within the Maitama complex.
With this abrupt policy shift, attention is now turning to the fate of the Maitama facility and the considerable funds already committed to its development. Critics warn that redirecting resources to a new renovation project could result in waste and underutilisation of the recently completed ITF headquarters.
The lack of disclosed costs or renovation timelines has further fueled concerns about possible mismanagement. As of press time, attempts to reach the Ministry’s media team for clarification had not yielded a response.
The Old Federal Secretariat complex, where the ministry is based, also houses several other agencies, including the Ministry of Interior and the Nigerian Orientation Agency. The planned upgrade is expected to improve working conditions and potentially streamline inter-agency coordination within the facility.
