Here are the top 8 abandoned projects in Nigeria

There is a growing number of uncompleted projects in Nigeria which are said to have cost trillions of dollars.

Although the estimated number of abandoned projects in the country are said to be over 56,000, according to the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors.

These neglected projects include those began by both the federal government and the states.

Here are 8 abandoned projects in Nigeria and the amount wasted.

1. Ajaokuta steel mills - Amount spent $8billion.

The Ajaokuta steel mill is reported to be a multi-billion dollar integrated steel plant established in the late 1970s and early 1980s but has faced series of administrative setbacks negating its operations.

Recently, the Minister of Steel, Shuaibu Audu, revealed that there will be a three-year plan to kick-start operations and production of steel in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive.

2. Mambila Hydro Power plant - Amount spent $5.8Bbillion.

This is Nigeria’s biggest power plant. It is said to be a 3.05GW hydroelectric facility being developed on the Dongo River near Baruf, in Kakara Village of Taraba State, Nigeria.

In February 2024, Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, EFCC, declared Leno Laitan Adesanya, a promoter of Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd, wanted over his alleged role in the $6 billion Mambilla hydropower contract.

He was accused of awarding a contract in May 2003 for the construction of 3,960 megawatts (mw) Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on a ‘Build, Operate and Transfer basis’ “without any budgetary provision, approval and cash backing”.

Mr Agunloye however, denied all the charges.

3. Brass LNG - Amount spent $10billion but disputed by NNPC to be $1.9 billion.

Brass LNG Terminal was a proposed LNG terminal in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The project had been cancelled.

However, in 2022 Nigeria's government indicated it was looking to revive the project.

In October 2003, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), U.S. firms Chevron and ConocoPhillips, and Italian firm Eni signed an agreement to create Brass LNG Limited. In November 2004, Brass LNG Limited awarded a construction contract to Bechtel to build a two-train, 10 million metric tons per year (mtpa) liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Nigeria's Bayelsa state. The plan was for construction to begin in Q3 2006.

4. Abuja CCTV project - Amount spent $460 million.

The close-circuit cameras were part of the National Public Security Communications System (NPSCS) contract awarded in 2010 to a Chinese company, ZTE Corporation, at $470 million.

The Chinese Exim Bank provided a $399.5million loan while the federal government paid the balance of 15 per cent, amounting to $70.5 million in counterpart-funding.

Some 1000 units of the CCTV cameras were supposed to be installed in Lagos and Abuja.

The purpose of the CCTV contract “was to facilitate real time online communication between security agencies to enhance their capacities in fighting crime.” But it has become another monument to waste.

5.Rivers State monorails - Amount spent $400 million.

The $400 million project was awarded by the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi-led administration in 2012 to improve transportation and decongest traffic in the popular Port Harcourt-Aba road and bring succour to numerous residents of the state who could not afford the increasing cost of commercial road transportation.
Twelve years after the idea was conceived and contract awarded, the monorail has become one of the abandoned projects in Rivers State.

The project started in full swing in 2013 with installation of pillars along the stretch of Port Harcourt. But 12 years down the line, the gigantic monorail pillars erected from the popular UTC junction to the Station road in Port Harcourt have become a monument of shame and abandonment.

6.Dredging of River Niger - Amount spent N34 billion.

The Federal Government signed a N34.8 million contract for the dredging of lower River Niger on December 1, 2008, which was later reviewed when the Federal Executive Council on November 2, 2011 approved additional N8.5billion due to confirmed fluctuations in the prices of labour, diesel etc and constant siltation of the River channels thereby putting the entire project cost at N43.3 billion.

The dredging of lower River Niger was to begin from Warri in Delta State to Baro in Niger State with a three-year completion plan.

7.Katsina Windmills - Amount spent N4.4 billion.

The Katsina wind farm project was created by late President Yar'adua in 2005 when he was the Governor of Katsina state in a bid to complement power generation and boost renewable energy to save the environment.

According to a report, the ten-watt wind farm project located at Lambar Rimi was made up of 37 installed turbines capable of generating 273 kilowatts.
After eight attempts to commission the project since its inception to date, it appears the project has been abandoned.

8.TINAPA resort - Amount spent $450 million.

Tinapa, with its 80,000 square metres (861,000 square feet) of warehouses and shops, cost a whopping sum of $450 million (413 million euros).

The resort was alleged to have film studios, luxury shops and an elevated light railway, among others.

Tinapa was planned to be a showcase of Nigerian dynamism, a commercial hub for West Africa raking in millions of dollars.

However, 10 years after it opened, the resort in southeast Nigeria became a ghost town and has become a symbol of monumental waste.

According to a report from visitors, the resort has become a disappointment following the emptiness of shops, warehouses and zero presence of people.