The Federal Government of Nigeria has earmarked ₦1.83 billion in the 2025 budget to repurpose properties forfeited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into residential quarters for the State House in Abuja. This initiative is part of a broader plan to renovate and maintain key presidential and vice-presidential facilities.
Breakdown of the Budget
- EFCC-Seized Properties Conversion: ₦1.83 billion allocated for acquisition, refurbishment, and conversion.
- State House Security Quarters Renovation: ₦120.28 million.
- Annual Maintenance of the Presidential Villa: ₦5.49 billion.
- President’s Quarters Renovation: ₦6.39 million.
- State House Facilities Upgrades (Auditorium, Gymnasium, Security Quarters): ₦49.04 million.
- Vice President’s Quarters and Guest House Renovation: ₦466.86 million and ₦298.39 million, respectively.
Additional Allocations
- Lagos Liaison Office (Dodan Barracks and Ikoyi Guest Houses): ₦14.72 million for maintenance.
- State House Annex (Lagos): ₦140.10 million for completion and furnishing.
In total, ₦8.42 billion is designated for renovating residences of top government officials and State House staff in 2025.
Public Reaction and Debate
The spending plan has stirred public debate, particularly given Nigeria’s economic challenges. Critics argue that such substantial allocations for renovations seem misaligned with the fiscal hardships faced by ordinary citizens.
The government, however, justifies these expenditures as necessary to maintain critical state facilities. The tension between governance priorities and economic realities remains a focal point of public discourse.
Background on EFCC Seized Assets
The basis for these renovations stems from EFCC’s asset recovery efforts. In December 2024, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ordered the forfeiture of a 150,500-square-meter estate in Abuja, containing 753 duplexes and apartments linked to a former government official under investigation. The estate was determined to have been acquired through unlawful means.
Balancing Governance and Public Concerns
While the Federal Government defends the allocations, critics continue to question the prioritization of state facility renovations over more pressing economic needs. The budget underscores the challenge of balancing functional governance with public expectations during a time of economic strain.
