Dissolution Order Announced
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate dissolution of the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) on the Alienation of Federal Government Properties. The directive, effective November 5, 2025, was announced by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, is now tasked with coordinating all matters previously under the committee's purview.
Background of the Committee
The PIC was established in 2000 during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Its original mandate was to oversee the privatisation, sale, and lease of federal landed assets as part of the government's monetisation policy. The committee's initial membership included the Minister of Housing as chairperson, alongside representatives from the Ministries of Transportation, Justice, Health, and Agriculture, as well as the Nigeria Police Force. Professor P.T. Ahire, then a Deputy Director in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, served as its first secretary.
On March 22, 2001, the Federal Executive Council approved the creation of a Panel of Inquiry to produce a White Paper guiding the implementation of the PIC's recommendations. The panel worked for 21 months before submitting its report.
Reasons for Dissolution
According to the presidency, a review of the committee's operations revealed that it had moved beyond its original scope. This overreach led to several court cases across the country, described as “multiple litigations.” The presidency concluded that there was no longer any justification for the committee to continue operating. The statement did not specify the exact court cases but highlighted that the committee's activities exceeded its mandate.
Directives to the Committee Secretary
As part of the dissolution, B.S. Dutsin-Ma, the committee's secretary, has been specifically directed to cease acting on behalf of the committee or the Federal Government on any related matters. This measure aims to prevent further unauthorized actions while the transition to the Attorney General's office proceeds.
Public Reactions
The announcement has sparked diverse reactions from Nigerians. GMD commented: "While commending the President for dissolving the PIC, Tinubu and APC should ensure Transparency and Accountability in his administration, especially in respect to Insecurity and budget implementation. We're waiting to see the outcome of the fake and camouflaged DG's drags. You cannot dissolve a loophole and still have multiple loopholes across."
Paul Arhewe questioned: "Do we have a minister of information, like Lai Mohammed, during Buhari? If we have one, he or she seems to be a very silent operator. Now all information is coming from the adviser?"
Mazi Okonkwo Chinedu said: "This doesn't care about the killings going on in Nigeria, only to grab power." Pathfinder simply stated: "May God bless Nigeria."
Implications of the Dissolution
The dissolution of the PIC marks a significant shift in how federal property matters will be handled. Previously, the committee managed the alienation process for numerous government assets across the country. By placing this responsibility under the Attorney General, the Tinubu administration aims to centralize oversight and reduce legal conflicts. The move is seen as part of broader efforts to streamline government operations and address long-standing inefficiencies in asset management.
The presidency emphasized that the decision was based on a thorough review of the committee's performance and its deviation from its original terms of reference. No further details were provided about the specific litigations or the timeline for the transition.
