By Mercy Gadia Adi
The House of Representatives on Tuesday launched a comprehensive investigation into the concession of federal air and seaport terminals and related shipping activities carried out between 2006 and 2025.
Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, who flagged off the probe, said the exercise would assess the performance of concessionaires, determine the actual benefits accrued to the Federal Government, and review compliance with concession agreements over the past two decades.
Tajudeen, represented at the inauguration by Hon. Laori Kwamoti, said the ad hoc committee was constituted in line with the House’s constitutional oversight mandate and growing public concern over the transparency, efficiency and value outcomes of concession arrangements governing critical national assets.
The committee, chaired by Hon. Kolawole Akinlayo, is expected to examine the terms and conditions of concession agreements entered into within the period under review; assess revenue flows, remittances and financial returns to the Federal Government and its agencies; and evaluate compliance with contractual, regulatory and safety obligations.
The Speaker noted that while the Federal Government embraced concessioning to attract private investment, modernise infrastructure, improve service delivery and boost revenue, it had become necessary to review whether those objectives had been achieved.
“Nearly two decades after the commencement of these concession arrangements, it is both timely and imperative for the Legislature to undertake a comprehensive review of their outcomes,” Tajudeen said.
He stressed that the investigation was not intended to undermine private sector participation but to ensure accountability, protect public assets and safeguard the national interest.
“Nigerians deserve to know whether these concessions have delivered value for money, complied with contractual obligations, enhanced national competitiveness, and contributed meaningfully to economic growth, employment and revenue generation,” he added.
Beyond financial performance, the Speaker said the committee would also appraise infrastructure development, operational efficiency, service quality, labour issues, and systemic weaknesses within the concession framework, with a view to making practicable recommendations for policy, legislative and institutional reforms.
Urging members of the committee to conduct the assignment with objectivity and professionalism, Tajudeen said their work must be evidence-based, transparent and fair to all stakeholders, while remaining firm in the defence of public trust.
He expressed confidence that the outcome of the probe would strengthen governance in the transport and maritime sectors and shape public confidence in concessioning as a policy tool.
In his remarks, the committee chairman, Hon. Akinlayo, said the panel was constituted in response to mounting national concerns over the management, transparency and value delivery of concession arrangements covering some of Nigeria’s most strategic economic assets.
He described seaports, airports, terminals and jetties as “sovereign economic gateways” and critical enablers of trade, mobility, national security and development.
According to him, the committee will engage key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, concessionaires, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Bureau of Public Procurement, Nigeria Shippers’ Council, crude oil and gas terminal operators, domestic vessel owners, importers, shipping companies and banks.
Akinlayo said the engagements would focus on legal compliance, operational efficiency, revenue performance and alleged statutory breaches.
“Our objective is to ensure that the Federal Government and the Nigerian people derive maximum benefit from these operations, that revenues due are fully captured, and that inefficiencies are identified and corrected,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the investigation would result in stronger infrastructure governance, improved service delivery, enhanced investor discipline and restored public confidence in Nigeria’s concession programme.