House of Representatives to Investigate ₦20 Trillion Worth of Abandoned Federal Properties Nationwide

The House of Representatives has initiated a comprehensive investigation into more than 11,800 abandoned federal government properties across Nigeria, estimated to be worth over ₦20 trillion.

The decision was taken during Wednesday’s plenary session following a motion raised by the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, who cited findings from the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS). The institute’s 2021 report identified 11,866 neglected projects, representing approximately 63% of all federal building initiatives undertaken since Nigeria’s independence.

Hon. Chinda described the abandoned assets as a “colossal waste of national resources,” noting that several of the structures originally conceived for public use have deteriorated due to prolonged neglect and poor maintenance.

Key assets listed include the Federal Secretariat Complex in Ikoyi, Lagos, Millennium Tower and National Library in Abuja, Nigerian International Hotel, Suleja, and defunct industrial assets such as the Nigerian Newsprint Manufacturing Company in Oku Iboku, the Kaduna Textile Building, and the Nigerian Aluminium Smelting Company in Delta State.

Chinda further expressed concern that the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) on federal properties, established in 2000 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo to manage and monetise idle government assets, has not submitted its final report after more than two decades of operation. He noted that the committee’s inaction has hindered transparency and accountability in public asset management.

Lawmakers Push for Public-Private Partnership Solutions

The House observed that inflation, outdated designs, and lack of maintenance have significantly reduced the value of many of these properties. Lawmakers urged the Federal Government to explore Public-Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks to rehabilitate, repurpose, or monetise the assets in line with modern infrastructure and housing needs.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas directed that an ad hoc committee be constituted to review existing reports, verify the current status of all listed properties, and submit recommendations within six weeks. The motion received unanimous support from members.

Implications for Nigeria’s Real Estate and Fiscal Policy

Analysts note that unlocking value from Nigeria’s dormant property portfolio could support fiscal consolidation, reduce infrastructure deficits, and stimulate private investment. By leveraging PPPs, the government could convert underutilised public assets into productive facilities ranging from affordable housing to commercial real estate—without immediate fiscal burden.

If implemented effectively, the initiative could mark a major shift in Nigeria’s public asset management strategy, improving accountability and enhancing the nation’s economic productivity.