Nearly two years after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) completed and handed over the official residence built for Vice President Kashim Shettima, the multi-billion-naira facility remains largely unused for residential purposes.
The residence, located in Abuja’s prestigious Three Arms Zone, was commissioned by President Bola Tinubu on June 7, 2024, after the project was revived and completed under the administration of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Yet, despite the commissioning, Shettima continues to operate from Akinola Aguda House within the Presidential Complex, which remains his official residence.
The situation has renewed questions about the purpose and utilisation of a project whose total expenditure has been reported at about N21 billion.
The residence was originally awarded in 2010 under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan at an estimated cost of N7 billion. The project was subsequently abandoned for several years before being revived and completed under the FCTA.
The final cost has been reported at about N21 billion, although the exact figure varies depending on whether the original contract sum, variations and subsequent expenditures are included.
At the commissioning ceremony, President Tinubu said the completion of inherited projects was part of his administration’s efforts to prevent public funds from being wasted on abandoned infrastructure.
However, the residence has remained largely unoccupied for residential purposes since the commissioning.
Some reports have cited security concerns as a possible reason for Shettima’s continued non-relocation. However, the Presidency has not publicly provided a detailed explanation identifying any specific security, structural or operational issue preventing the vice president from moving into the facility.
The FCTA had previously maintained that its responsibility for the project was completed and that the facility was handed over to the appropriate authorities after its commissioning.
The controversy surrounding the residence took another turn following social media claims that Shettima had moved into the building but later left after allegedly discovering hidden closed-circuit television cameras installed inside the facility.
There is, however, no credible evidence establishing that the vice president ever occupied the residence and subsequently abandoned it because of alleged surveillance equipment.
Shettima’s spokesman also dismissed the claim, maintaining that the vice president continued to reside at Akinola Aguda House.
The surveillance allegation therefore leaves unanswered the broader question of why Shettima has not relocated to the official residence nearly two years after it was commissioned.
From N7bn Project To N21bn Facility
The vice president’s residence dates back to 2010, when it was initiated and awarded under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The project subsequently passed through several administrations before Wike revived and completed it after assuming office as FCT minister.
The completion was presented as part of efforts to recover abandoned public infrastructure and prevent previously committed government funds from going to waste.
But the continued non-use of the facility has triggered fresh questions over whether additional security assessments, modifications, certification or other operational requirements remain outstanding.
Among the issues now requiring clarification are whether the residence has undergone all necessary security assessments, whether it has been formally cleared for occupation, whether further modifications are needed and why the vice president continues to reside elsewhere.
There are also questions over the cost of securing and maintaining a multi-billion-naira facility that has yet to serve its primary purpose as the official residence of the vice president.
Nearly two years after the commissioning, the Presidency is yet to offer a comprehensive public explanation for Shettima’s continued non-relocation.
With about N21 billion reportedly spent on the project, the prolonged non-occupation of the facility is likely to continue attracting public scrutiny over its cost, purpose and utilisation.
