- As MDAs Spend Billions on New Structures and Expensive Rents, Experts Offer Solutions
For decades, the towering NITEL Building at the end of Marina Street near the Tafawa Balewa Complex on Lagos Island was an architectural landmark, standing as West Africa’s tallest building upon its completion in 1979 under General Olusegun Obasanjo’s military regime. At 160 meters with 32 floors—plus a five-floor equivalent communications spire—it was once a bustling hub of telecommunications activity.
Initially known as the Nigeria External Telecommunications (NET) Building, later becoming NITEL Tower and finally NECOM House, this once-iconic structure now stands abandoned. A source familiar with the situation, speaking anonymously, explained that the building’s decline began when NITEL was privatized. The new owners struggled to secure a major telecom franchise and lacked the resources to maintain the massive edifice. A prolonged legal battle further complicated the situation, rendering the building inaccessible for commercial use.
For over 17 years, the once-glorious structure has been overrun by scavengers, criminals, and squatters, turning it into a hotspot for illicit activities. “That building, if properly utilized, could support more than two local governments,” the source lamented. “But because those in power are comfortable, they don’t care about its wastage.”
Another glaring example of neglect is the abandoned structure opposite Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MM2) in Ikeja. Conceived as a four-star hotel and executive office complex, the project was meant to provide safe accommodations and office spaces near the airport. However, after MM2’s concessioning, confusion and mismanagement stalled the project, leaving another multimillion-dollar investment in ruins.
Similarly, the Federal Secretariat in Obalende, Ikoyi, once a symbol of government presence, has deteriorated into a derelict site. The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) Ikoyi-Obalende Cell recently raised concerns over its condition, warning that the neglect of federal properties in the area not only leads to economic waste but also poses serious safety and security risks.
According to estate surveyor and property management expert Pastor Stephen Ozili, the root of the problem lies in the “nobody’s business syndrome,” where government projects are treated as short-term opportunities for personal gain rather than long-term investments.
He cited key factors responsible for the abandonment of federal buildings, including:
- A culture of corruption and short-term profiteering by officials
- Poor planning and lack of maintenance culture
- The sidelining of qualified professionals in managing government assets
- Bureaucratic inefficiencies and legal bottlenecks
Despite successful public-private partnerships (PPPs) in managing some federal properties—such as the Nigeria Ports Authority’s non-core assets, National Theatre, and Lagos Trade Fair Complex—others, like the National Stadium and the Federal Secretariat, continue to waste away due to lack of oversight.
Ozili emphasized that proper management through PPPs could revive these assets, generating revenue and reducing waste. “Accountability and professional management are key. If a concession is granted without proper monitoring, it’s as good as never starting the project.”
The BCPG warns that neglected buildings in high-profile areas like Ikoyi are at risk of collapse, vandalization, and criminal occupation. Their statement urges the government to take immediate action:
Restore the Federal Secretariat and Ikoyi Towers to prevent further deterioration
Enforce strict building regulations to prevent future collapses
Crack down on unscrupulous developers who ignore safety standards
Leverage abandoned federal properties to address Nigeria’s housing crisis
With the rising demand for housing and office spaces, experts argue that allowing multi-billion-naira federal assets to rot is not only wasteful but also economically irresponsible. They call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to cut through bureaucracy and legal roadblocks to revive these properties for public benefit.
In a city where government agencies continue to spend exorbitant sums on new buildings and office rentals, the question remains: why let existing federal assets decay when they could be revitalized to serve Nigerians?
