N21 Billion For VP’s Residence? Architect Says It Shouldn’t Even Reach A Billion

N21 Billion For VP’s Residence? Architect Says It Shouldn’t Even Reach A Billion

Written By Oshiobugie John

An architect and civil engineer has told FIJ that the newly inaugurated vice president’s residence in Abuja shouldn’t cost anywhere near the reported billion-naira figure.

Speaking with FIJ on Tuesday, the engineer, who requested anonymity, expressed disbelief at the amount spent to complete the building, which had been significantly constructed during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

“Anything they’re using to finish this shouldn’t be up to a billion; think in the range of millions,” she stated.

On June 7, the federal government inaugurated the vice president’s official residence, built at a cost of N21 billion. Located at Three Arms Zone, Abuja, the residence was initially awarded for N7 billion during Jonathan’s tenure in 2010 but was left unfinished for his deputy, Namadi Sambo.

When Muhammadu Buhari took office in 2015, he deemed the residence a low priority, and Yemi Osinbajo, the vice president at the time, stayed at the Akinola Aguda House for eight years.

Thirteen years later, in November 2023, the Bola Tinubu administration announced plans to renovate and complete the residence for N15 billion, sparking public outrage. Eventually, the government claimed the project was completed with an additional N14 billion, bringing the total to N21 billion.

FIJ’s investigation revealed that by December 2012, the building was near completion. The Senate Committee on FCT matters had even rejected Sambo’s request for an additional N9 billion for furniture, fencing, and a banquet hall.

An image from 2012 showed the residence close to completion, contradicting claims of the need for such substantial additional funds. Media reports from 2019 indicated that the residence was nearly finished before Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, resumed work on it in November 2023.

The engineer emphasized that the building wasn’t new and questioned the necessity of the extra billions. She noted the old architectural design suggested it was likely constructed 40–50 years ago.

“The building looks about 40–50 years old based on its design. It’s a classical style, indicating it’s not newly built,” she explained.

She estimated that completing the already advanced structure, including furnishing, should not exceed N100 million. “From where it was in 2012, about N80 million would finish it, and N20 million for furnishing,” she added.

When informed it was the vice president’s residence, she conceded the cost might rise due to stringent standards but still maintained it could be done for under a billion naira.

At the inauguration, Wike justified the cost, saying, “This project, awarded in 2010 at N7 billion, was abandoned in 2015. In January, we revised the budget to N21 billion, adding N14 billion more.”

The public remains skeptical, questioning where the additional billions truly went.