The Speaker of Nigeria's House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has taken a decisive step to address the widespread abandonment of federal government properties across the nation, declaring that the era of allowing national assets to decay is officially over.
Committee Mandate and Investigation Scope
On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Speaker Abbas formally inaugurated a special ad-hoc committee tasked with investigating all idle federal landed assets throughout Nigeria. The committee, which is headed by Hon. Daniel Amos, received clear directives to identify abandoned properties, determine the precise reasons for their abandonment, and provide actionable recommendations for recovery, rehabilitation, or strategic disposal.
During the inauguration ceremony held in Abuja, Speaker Abbas did not mince words, describing abandoned public facilities as glaring symbols of waste and weak governance. He firmly stated that the 10th House of Representatives would not continue to overlook this concerning trend that has persisted across various administrations.
Speaker's Strong Stance on Public Assets
These facilities represent public wealth. They must not rot away, Abbas declared emphatically. Every federal asset must be identified, protected, and put to productive use. Nigerians expect nothing less.
The Speaker emphasized that the investigation must be conducted with rigor and strict adherence to legal protocols, noting that citizens increasingly demand transparency and accountability in how national assets are managed. He instructed the committee to address any discovered gaps in policy, documentation, or oversight mechanisms decisively.
Abbas directly told committee members that the eyes of the country are on you, urging them to ensure their work reflects the highest standards of integrity, courage, and national interest.
Comprehensive Approach and Expected Outcomes
The investigative committee is expected to engage extensively with various stakeholders including ministries, departments, agencies, and host communities to gather accurate records and firsthand information about the abandoned properties. Speaker Abbas highlighted that such comprehensive engagement is essential for producing credible and implementable recommendations that will lead to tangible results.
Reaffirming the legislature's commitment to improving asset governance, Abbas revealed that the House would collaborate closely with the Executive branch to establish an efficient and transparent system for tracking federal properties. This system would maintain updated inventories and implement measures to prevent future abandonment of national assets.
The Speaker emphasized that this probe forms part of the broader agenda of the 10th House to block financial leakages, enhance governmental accountability, and ensure that public resources effectively drive national development. He commended Hon. Amos and other committee members for accepting what he described as a tough but necessary national assignment, encouraging them to remain focused and deliver a report capable of shaping decisive legislative action.
Following his remarks, Speaker Abbas formally declared the ad-hoc committee inaugurated, setting in motion what many observers see as a crucial step toward reclaiming Nigeria's wasted public assets.
