The House of Representatives has launched a sweeping investigation into all international treaties and foreign-funded contracts signed by Nigeria. This move, driven by the House Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements, aims to safeguard the nation's sovereignty and economic security from potentially harmful agreements.
Committee Raises Alarm Over Hidden Clauses and Risks
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Rabiu Yusuf, announced the probe to journalists on Wednesday, 17 December 2025. He emphasized that the review is a constitutional duty, not a political exercise. The Committee expressed serious concerns that many past agreements contain "hidden obligations, sovereignty waivers, unfavourable arbitration clauses or financial risks unknown to Nigerians."
Rep. Yusuf stated the committee's mandate clearly: to examine every bilateral and multilateral treaty, protocol, agreement, and foreign-funded contract Nigeria has entered into. The ultimate goal is to determine if these pacts protect or endanger the national interest. "This review is not political," he assured. "Our mandate is clear."
Scrutiny on Foreign-Funded Infrastructure Deals
A significant focus of the investigation will be foreign-funded infrastructure contracts, particularly those involving international companies. The Committee highlighted several areas for intense scrutiny:
- Value for money and contract performance
- Exposure to foreign loans and debt sustainability
- Compliance with local content laws
- Adherence to Nigerian environmental and labour standards
The Committee issued a stern warning: "Nigeria cannot afford treaties that weaken our legal authority, compromise national assets, or burden future generations with unsustainable liabilities." It stressed that the probe would ensure all treaties comply with Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires legislative approval for treaties to become law in Nigeria.
Nationwide Awareness and a Roadmap for Action
The Committee explained that treaties directly impact citizens' lives, influencing job creation, trade, taxes, and infrastructure development. Poorly negotiated agreements, it warned, could deepen the country's debt and threaten strategic national assets. "Our goal is simple: Nigeria must never sign what it cannot defend," the Committee declared.
To execute the investigation, the Committee has engaged Service Management Consultancy Nigeria as its technical consultant. This firm will provide forensic, legal, financial, and technical expertise. A detailed roadmap has been outlined, involving:
- Collection of relevant documents from MDAs, state governments, and foreign entities.
- Verification and forensic risk assessment of the agreements.
- Legal reviews and stakeholder hearings.
- Field inspections and presentation of a final report to the House.
Letters requesting documents will be sent to all federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), regulatory bodies, state governments, foreign contractors (including Chinese firms), diplomatic missions, banks, and financial institutions. The Committee warned that non-compliance would attract sanctions under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution.
Furthermore, a nationwide public awareness campaign will be launched to inform Nigerians about the Committee's work. The Committee assured that the process would be "thorough, professional, non-partisan and guided strictly by evidence."
In a powerful closing statement, the Committee vowed: "Nigeria will no longer sign unfavourable agreements in darkness. This Committee will shine the light, protect our sovereignty, and ensure every treaty reflects the dignity and future of our nation."
