A recent Federal High Court decision in Abuja, compelling the National Assembly to disclose documents on the ₦37 billion earmarked for renovating its complex, has reignited debates on the persistent flaws in Nigeria’s public procurement system. This judgment, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/51/2022, not only mandates transparency in this specific project but also highlights broader systemic issues, such as budget escalations, weak enforcement mechanisms, and the economic drain caused by opaque spending practices. By examining this case alongside national corruption trends and procurement statistics, it becomes clear that without comprehensive reforms, Nigeria risks perpetuating inefficiencies that cost the economy billions annually.
The lawsuit, initiated by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) through its lawyer Seidu Mohammed, sought details on the proposal, assessment processes, initial ₦37 billion estimate, approved allocations, and disbursed funds for the renovation. Justice Nwite ruled that the information requested aligns with the Freedom of Information Act 2011, dismissing the National Assembly’s reluctance as unjustified.
“The information is simple and harmless. Where an institution like the respondent denies or is deemed to have denied an applicant the instant information sought, it will not only defeat the very purpose of the Act but encourage corruption and financial recklessness,” the judge remarked in his ruling.
The decision to demand transparency surrounding the ₦37 billion allocated for the National Assembly’s renovation aligns with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act’s original intent, enacted on 28 May 2011. The Act was designed to foster openness in governance and empower citizens to scrutinize the use of public funds.
In December 2019, former President Muhammadu Buhari approved ₦37 billion for the renovation of the National Assembly complex, despite its original construction cost being only ₦10.7 billion. This sparked public outcry, but the controversy highlights deeper issues in Nigeria’s procurement system chief among them, a lack of transparency and budget inflation.
While the National Assembly’s renovation has grabbed headlines, it is part of a broader pattern of escalating public procurement costs. In 2024, over ₦580 billion was allocated for various government projects, many of which lacked clear alignment with the respective agencies’ mandates. This wasteful spending is not just a financial burden it exacerbates the country’s ongoing fiscal challenges. For example, ₦51.09 billion was allocated to the Border Communities Development Agency, and ₦110.18 billion directed to the National Building and Road Research Institute. Critics have raised concerns about the transparency of these allocations and their appropriateness, especially in light of Nigeria’s fiscal deficits and economic instability.
In November 2024, Premium Times revealed that ₦42 billion had been spent on renovations to the National Assembly complex, yet it remained inaccessible to persons with disabilities, thus violating the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018. This ongoing issue highlights not only concerns about the physical accessibility of the complex but also a broader pattern in Nigeria’s public procurement processes, where project costs often exceed initial estimates, often due to inadequate oversight and a lack of transparency in financial dealings.
A 2023 UNODC survey revealed that corruption in procurement processes impacts up to 30% of contract values in Nigeria, leading to inefficiencies that cost the economy billions annually. These inefficiencies undermine Nigeria’s ability to deliver essential services, particularly in infrastructure and healthcare, exacerbating the country’s socio-economic problems.
The Brookings Institution has reported that public procurement accounts for approximately 50% of Nigeria’s federal budget, which reached ₦28.7 trillion in 2024 before revisions, illustrating the scale of spending and the need for more effective oversight.
This is not an isolated issue. In 2019, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) filed a lawsuit arguing that the ₦37 billion allocated for the National Assembly renovation lacked a thorough impact assessment. This legal challenge reflects widespread concern over the lack of value for money in government spending, especially given the country’s economic difficulties and ongoing corruption issues.
Nigeria’s allocation of approximately ₦3.132 trillion to National Assembly operations over the past 25 years underscores the inefficiencies plaguing public spending. Despite this massive outlay, critical infrastructure needs remain unmet, and ongoing procurement challenges continue to drain the country’s resources.
Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks Nigeria 140th out of 180 countries, with a score of 26 out of 100. This ranking underscores persistent challenges in public sector transparency, despite some minor improvements from the previous year. Nigeria’s ongoing corruption issues are amplified by weak judicial independence and political interference, which exacerbates procurement irregularities and undermine efforts to address public sector corruption.
The ruling on the ₦37 billion renovation is an important step toward greater transparency, but it must be the catalyst for broader procurement reforms. To prevent further wasteful spending, Nigeria must implement real-time disclosure portals for project allocations, enforce mandatory impact assessments, and consider adopting electronic procurement systems, which could save up to 15% on public contracts. These reforms would not only enhance accountability but also provide the foundation for long-term economic stability.
Since the enactment of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in 2011, over 5,000 FOI requests have been filed in an effort to increase transparency and combat corruption. However, compliance with the Act remains low, with many public institutions failing to fully adhere to its provisions. A 2025 Supreme Court ruling affirmed that the FOI Act applies not only to federal institutions but also to state governments, significantly expanding public access to information and enhancing accountability.
One notable example of the FOI Act’s impact is the Public Procurement and Disposal Coalition (PPDC), which has used the FOI Act to expose delays in project execution, promoting greater accountability and reducing corruption in public procurement processes.
The ruling on the National Assembly’s renovation project serves as a reminder that systemic issues in Nigeria’s procurement processes require immediate reform. The country must act decisively to curb procurement-related inefficiencies, implement transparency measures, and foster greater accountability in public spending. Failure to do so will continue to drain the national budget and perpetuate the cycle of corruption that has hindered Nigeria’s development for decades.
This ruling could serve as a catalyst for further reforms, such as mandatory impact assessments and real-time disclosure portals, to prevent the recurrence of inefficient spending and ensure greater accountability in public procurement processes.
