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SERAP Urges Akpabio, Abbas to Account Missing N18.6bn for NASS Commission Office Complex
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas to “promptly account for the missing N18.6bn meant for the construction of the National Assembly Commission Office Complex, as documented in the latest 2022 annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation.”
In addition, the SERAP urged Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas “to disclose the name of the alleged ‘fictitious construction company’ that reportedly collected N18.6bn for the construction of the National Assembly Commission Office Complex, including the names and details of the directors, shareholders and the company’s address.”
The SERAP also urged Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas “to explain the failure to follow the Procurement Act, including the failure to carry out any needs assessment before the award of the contract, to advertise the bidding, to issue a contract agreement, and to issue bidders’ quotations before the construction company was paid N18.6 billion’”
The SERAP urged Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas “to explain the rationale for the ‘inflation of the contract by N6.9 billion for the conversion of the roof garden to office space’, and why no approval was obtained for the upward review of the contract, and to disclose the implementation status of the project.”
The grave allegations are documented in the latest 2022 annual report published by the Auditor-General of the Federation on 9 September 2025.
In the letter dated 18 October 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “These grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest grave violations of the public trust, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], and national and international anticorruption obligations.”
The SERAP said, “the National Assembly can only effectively perform its oversight and anti-corruption roles if it can demonstrate exemplary leadership to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement involving the NASS commission.”
According to the SERAP, “the National Assembly ought to live up to its constitutional responsibilities by upholding and defending the basic principles of transparency, accountability and the rule of law.”
The letter, read in part: “Addressing the allegations would improve public confidence and trust in the ability of the National Assembly to exercise their constitutional and oversight responsibilities, and to adhere to the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.”
“It would also show that the National Assembly is acting in the best interest of the people, and not for personal interest.”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you, the National Assembly and the National Assembly Service Commission to comply with our request in the public interest.”
“According to the recently published 2022 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation, the National Assembly Service Commission paid over N11.6 billion [N11,647,302,594,00] to ‘an unknown construction company’ for ‘the construction the Commission’s Complex within 24 months.’”
“The payment was reportedly made on 11 August 2020. But ‘the contract was inflated by over N6.9 billion [N6,930,000.000.00]’ and the money was reportedly paid to the construction company on 29 November 2023’ ‘for the conversion of the roof garden to office space.’”
“The contract was reportedly awarded without a Bill of Quantity (BOQ) for the upward of the contract, and the ‘BOQ for the contract of N11.6 billion was not priced.’”
“Both contracts were reportedly awarded without any needs assessment, newspaper advertisements, bidding process, contract agreement, bidders’ quotations and without any approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). There was also no ‘Bureau of Public Procurement’s Certificate of ‘No Objection’.’”
“The Auditor-General fears the N18.6 billion of public funds budgeted for ‘the construction of the Commission’s Office Complex and the conversion of the roof garden to office space’ may be missing. He wants the money accounted for.”
The “SERAP is concerned that the money may have been misappropriated, diverted or stolen. These grave violations reflect the continuing failure of the National Assembly and its commission to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.”
“Explaining the whereabouts of the missing public funds, publishing the details of the construction company which collected the money and ensuring the prosecution of the perpetrators and the recovery of any missing public funds would serve the public interest.”
“Poor and vulnerable Nigerians continue to bear the heavy economic and social costs of corruption. Corruption exposes them to additional costs to pay for health, education and administrative services.”
“Corruption traps the majority of Nigerians in poverty and deprives them of opportunities. The National Assembly therefore has a responsibility to curb it.”
“Allegations of corruption continue to undermine economic development, violate social justice, and destroy trust in economic, social, and political institutions, as well as lead to deficient public services.”
“Nigerians have the right to know the whereabouts of the public funds and details of the construction company. Taking the recommended measures would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation and guarantee of non-repetition.”
The “SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions including the National Assembly and its commission to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.”
“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on the National Assembly and its commission to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.”
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“Under Section 16(1)(a)(b), the National Assembly and its commission have the obligations to ‘harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, a dynamic and self-reliant economy’, and to ‘secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen.’”
“Section 16(2) further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.’”
“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources.”
“Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption also impose legal obligations on the National Assembly to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds. These commitments ought to be fully upheld and respected.”
The “SERAP urges to refer these grave violations of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s national and international anticorruption obligations to appropriate anticorruption agencies for investigation and prosecution, as appropriate, and the recovery and remittance of the public funds into the treasury.”
A sharp decline in oil drilling activities which has led to the loss of five active rigs within a month might be threatening Nigeria’s revenue outlook.
According to a report by the African Energy Council (AEC), the slump in Nigeria’s rig count has raised concerns over future crude production, government earnings and fiscal stability.
The report revealed that Nigeria’s active rig count dropped from 17 in March to 12 in April 2026, representing a decline of nearly 30 per cent in just one month and signalling weakening upstream investment and exploration activities.
Rig count, a key indicator of oil and gas exploration and production activities, measures the number of drilling rigs actively operating within a country or region.
Industry experts often regard it as a leading indicator of future production levels. The development comes at a time when Nigeria is struggling to meet its crude oil production targets and relies heavily on petroleum earnings to finance government expenditure.
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According to the report, the decline in rig activity poses a direct threat to the Federal Government’s 2026 budget benchmark of 1.84 million barrels per day (bpd), especially as actual production stood at about 1.48 million bpd in April 2026.
The AEC noted that while the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) reported 31 active rigs during the period, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) placed the figure at 12.
It explained that the discrepancy likely reflects differences in counting methodologies, including whether rigs on standby are classified as active.
Despite the differing figures, the Council stressed that both data sets point to a downward trend in drilling activity.
The think tank warned that with only 12 active rigs operating in April, Nigeria’s future production capacity is under severe threat unless urgent measures are taken to reverse the decline.
It further observed that the country’s rig count had already fallen from 15 in 2024 to 13 in 2025, indicating that several potential barrels that should have contributed to current production were never drilled.
“AEC views Nigeria’s upstream retreat with serious concern. A 41.7 per cent single-month rig count collapse, compounding revenue losses exceeding $3.1 billion, and a widening gap between NNPC’s 2030 ambitions and ground-level drilling activity signal a sector in structural distress rather than a cyclical downturn,” the report stated.
While Africa drills forward, Nigeria drills back. Without urgent policy action, Nigeria risks permanently ceding both its relevance within OPEC and its opportunity to monetise reserves before the global energy transition narrows that window.
The warning comes against the backdrop of mounting fiscal pressures. Oil revenues account for roughly 60 per cent of government earnings, meaning lower production could translate into wider budget deficits and increased borrowing.
The Oyo State Government has demolished a building used as a hideout by kidnappers who abducted the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her two children.
The structure, located in the Lakoun community along the Ayegun-Olojuoro Road in Ibadan, was pulled down on Monday following the successful rescue of the victims during a security operation over the weekend.
Mrs. Olaide Adegoke John-Paul, Adelabu’s younger sister, and her 12-year-old twin sons were reportedly held captive in the building before they were freed by security operatives.
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Confirming the demolition, Oyo-based media platform Oyo Affairs shared a video of the exercise on X, stating, “The Oyo State Government has demolished kidnappers’ den at Lakoun, Ayegun-Olojuoro Road, Ibadan, where the sister of former Minister Adebayo Adelabu and her children were held captive.”
The demolition followed a security assessment of the site led by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Oluwagbemiga Abimbola, on Sunday.
Another local news platform, Oyo Matters, also posted photos and videos of the operation, writing, “Oyo Government Demolishes Building Used as Kidnappers’ Hideout in Adelabu Family Abduction, Levels Property to the Ground.”
The government’s action comes days after a coordinated rescue mission that led to the safe recovery of the victims and a major breakthrough in the investigation.
During the operation, two members of the kidnapping syndicate were killed in a gun battle with security personnel, while four other suspects were arrested and later paraded at the Oyo State Police Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.
Security authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements or information that could lead to the arrest of other fleeing members of the gang.
The demolition is widely seen as part of the Oyo State Government’s efforts to dismantle criminal networks, deny kidnappers safe havens, and strengthen security across the state.
The dramatic rescue and subsequent demolition have drawn widespread attention, with many residents applauding the government’s swift response to the high-profile abduction case.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if the worsening insecurity across the country is not urgently addressed.
The labour unions issued the warning during a joint media briefing held on the sidelines of the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
Expressing concern over the rising cases of terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks in several parts of the country, the labour leaders said Nigerians can no longer continue to live in fear while carrying out their daily activities.
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The unions warned that if the security situation continues to deteriorate without decisive government intervention, organised labour may be left with no choice but to mobilise workers for industrial action nationwide.
According to the labour leaders, the persistent attacks on communities, commuters, farmers, and workers have reached an alarming level, requiring urgent and coordinated action from all levels of government.
“Enough is enough,” the labour centres declared, stressing that the protection of lives and property remains one of the fundamental responsibilities of government.
The NLC and TUC also used the opportunity to dismiss claims by some state governors that negotiations were ongoing with workers on a proposed ₦100,000 minimum wage.
They insisted that such claims do not reflect the current state of discussions on workers’ welfare and cautioned against giving the public a misleading impression about ongoing engagements with organised labour.
The unions reaffirmed their commitment to defending the interests of Nigerian workers and called on the Federal Government to take immediate and effective measures to tackle insecurity across the country.
They warned that failure to halt the rising wave of violence and criminality could trigger nationwide industrial action in the coming weeks.
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