The House of Representatives has commenced investigations into the concession of federal air and seaport terminals, as well as related shipping activities, from 2006 to 2025
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, on Tuesday inaugurated an investigation into the concession of federal air and seaport terminals, as well as related shipping activities, spanning 2006 to 2025.
The probe will be conducted by an ad-hoc committee chaired by Re. Kolawole Akinlayo, with a mandate to examine and appraise the performance of concessionaires under the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) framework and to determine the actual benefits accrued to the Federal Government over the nearly two-decade period.
Represented at the event by Rep. Laori Kwamoti, Speaker Tajudeen said the decision by successive governments to concession key national assets—particularly seaports and airports—was intended to boost efficiency, attract private investment, modernise infrastructure, improve service delivery and increase government revenue while easing the state’s operational burden.
“Nearly two decades after the commencement of these concession arrangements, it is both timely and imperative for the legislature, as representatives of the Nigerian people, to undertake a comprehensive review of their outcomes,” he said.
The speaker stressed that the investigation was not aimed at discouraging legitimate private sector participation but was an exercise of the House’s constitutional oversight responsibility.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this exercise is not an attempt to undermine legitimate private sector participation; rather, it is an expression of the House’s constitutional mandate to conduct oversight, ensure accountability and safeguard the national interest,” he noted.
According to him, Nigerians deserve clarity on whether the concessions have delivered value for money, complied with contractual obligations, protected public assets, enhanced competitiveness, and contributed meaningfully to economic growth, employment and revenue generation.
He explained that the scope of the investigation includes a review of concession agreements executed between 2006 and 2025; assessment of revenue flows, remittances and other financial benefits to the Federal Government and its agencies; and evaluation of concessionaires’ compliance with contractual, regulatory and safety obligations.
Other areas of focus include infrastructure development, operational efficiency, service quality and labour issues, identification of systemic gaps and weaknesses in the concession framework, and the formulation of practical recommendations to strengthen policy, legislation and future concession arrangements.
Expressing confidence in the committee members, Speaker Tajudeen urged them to conduct the assignment with objectivity, professionalism and transparency.
“Your work must reflect fairness to all stakeholders while remaining firm in the defence of public assets and public trust. Let your proceedings be thorough, evidence-based, and free from preconceived conclusions,” he said, adding that the outcome should strengthen governance, deepen accountability and enhance the sustainability of Nigeria’s transport and maritime sectors.
He expressed optimism that the investigation would help rebuild public confidence in concessioning as a policy tool and guide future reforms in public-private partnerships across critical sectors of the economy.
In his remarks, the committee chairman, Rep. Kolawole Akinlayo, said the panel was constituted in response to growing national concern over the management, performance, transparency and value outcomes of concession arrangements governing some of the country’s most strategic public assets.
“These assets—our seaports, airports, terminals and jetties—are not ordinary commercial facilities. They are sovereign economic gateways, national security infrastructure and critical enablers of trade, mobility and development,” Rep. Akinlayo said.
He noted that the House established the committee to ensure a thorough, evidence-based review of the benefits accruing to the Federal Government from concession operations, with oversight that is transparent, objective and accountable.
According to him, stakeholders expected to appear before the committee include the Nigerian Ports Authority, concessionaires, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Bureau of Public Procurement, Nigeria Shippers’ Council, operators of crude oil and gas terminals, domestic vessel owners and charterers, importers, shipping companies and banks.
Akinlayo said the engagements would focus on compliance with applicable laws, operational efficiency, allegations of statutory breaches and revenue performance.
“Our objective is clear: to ensure that the Federal Government and the Nigerian people derive maximum benefits from port and terminal operations, that revenues due are fully captured, and that operational lapses or inefficiencies are identified and addressed,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the investigation would leave a legacy of stronger infrastructure governance, improved service delivery, enhanced investor discipline and renewed public confidence in Nigeria’s concession programme.
