The Federal Government has vowed to take swift action to address years of neglect at the long-abandoned Government Printer facility in Abuja, following an on-site inspection by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, confirmed in a statement on Thursday, December 18, 2025, that the visit was aimed at assessing the state of the facility and determining steps to restore its intended purpose.
During the inspection, Minister Idris expressed shock at the current condition of the multi-billion-naira project, calling the prolonged abandonment “unacceptable” and at odds with the Federal Government’s focus on accountability, efficiency, and judicious use of public funds under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The facility, whose foundation stone was laid in 2001 during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, is reportedly about 70 percent complete. Despite this, several high-quality printing machines imported from Germany and India as far back as 2007 remain sealed and unused, with some equipment now outdated due to years of inactivity.
“It is painful to witness such a large-scale investment left to deteriorate,” the Minister said. “At a time when the government is prioritising resource conservation and local capacity-building, leaving this facility to waste is unacceptable.”
The Government Printer is responsible for producing official national documents, including the Federal Government Gazette and other key publications for the Ministry of Information and National Orientation. The facility’s inactivity has forced reliance on outsourced printing services, undermining efficiency and the development of national capacity.
The inspection also revealed other unused infrastructure, including a 2000 KVA generator installed in 2011, highlighting the extent of underutilised government assets at the site.
Accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry, including the Permanent Secretary and the Acting Director, the Minister stressed that the visit was essential for conducting a thorough evaluation and making informed decisions. “We have come to see the situation with our own eyes,” he said. “We will return with recommendations to the President and the Federal Executive Council on how to bring this facility back to full operation for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
Minister Idris reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that public investments deliver value, promising decisive action to prevent further deterioration of national assets. He emphasized that the Ministry of Information and National Orientation remains dedicated to transparency, good governance, and the efficient management of public resources in line with President Tinubu’s directive that every naira spent should benefit the Nigerian people.
