From Abandoned to Operational: Nigeria's Infrastructure Revival Tests Presidential Directive
President Tinubu's directive to complete abandoned projects yields its first major result with the commissioning of an N8 billion mall in Abuja, while state-level infrastructure improvements signal broader momentum in project delivery.
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The commissioning of an eight billion naira shopping complex in Abuja's Gwarinpa Estate marks a tangible outcome of President Bola Tinubu's directive to complete abandoned infrastructure projects across Nigeria. The Federal Housing Authority unveiled the four-storey structure on Tuesday, transforming what had been a dormant construction site into a commercial facility designed to serve one of the capital's most densely populated residential areas.
Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority, described the mall as "a four-floor suspended structure comprising 59 shopping spaces and a penthouse, fully serviced" during the commissioning ceremony. The completion represents a shift in approach to project management within federal agencies, where abandoned infrastructure has long drained public resources while delivering no economic value.
Presidential Directive Meets Ground Reality
The Gwarinpa mall's completion follows President Tinubu's explicit instructions to federal agencies to audit and finish stalled projects rather than initiating new ones. This directive emerged from growing public frustration over billions of naira locked in incomplete structures scattered across the country. The shopping complex, with its 59 commercial units, now joins the operational infrastructure serving Gwarinpa Estate, a residential development that houses thousands of federal civil servants and private residents.
The Federal Housing Authority's ability to bring the project across the finish line offers a template for other agencies grappling with similar challenges. The structure's commercial design—featuring multiple floors of retail space topped by a penthouse—reflects an attempt to create revenue-generating assets rather than simple administrative buildings. For residents of Gwarinpa, the mall promises to reduce travel time to commercial districts and create employment opportunities within their immediate environment.
Yet the completion of one high-profile project raises questions about the hundreds of others that remain stalled. The federal government has not released comprehensive data on the total number of abandoned projects or the capital required to complete them. Without such transparency, the Gwarinpa mall risks becoming an isolated success story rather than the beginning of systematic project delivery.
State-Level Infrastructure Gains Traction
Beyond Abuja, state governments are pursuing their own infrastructure agendas with varying degrees of success. In Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah has drawn praise from unexpected quarters for road construction initiatives. Chief Basil Ani, identified as a senior member of the All Progressives Congress, commended Mbah—a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party—for "notable improvements in road infrastructure across Enugu State," according to The Nation Newspaper.
This cross-party recognition suggests that infrastructure delivery is beginning to transcend partisan politics in some regions. Ani's comments, published on Tuesday, also extended to Governor Alex Otti of neighbouring Abia State, indicating a pattern of infrastructure investment in the Southeast. However, Ani simultaneously urged "urgent action" on water supply issues in Enugu, highlighting the gap between progress in road construction and other essential services.
The contrast between federal and state approaches to infrastructure reveals different operational realities. While the Federal Housing Authority focuses on completing existing projects, state governors often prioritize new road networks that offer immediate visibility and political capital. Neither approach is inherently superior; the challenge lies in balancing the completion of abandoned projects with the genuine need for new infrastructure in underserved areas.
Economic Impact and Sustainability Questions
The eight billion naira invested in the Gwarinpa mall will ultimately be judged by its economic performance. Shopping complexes across Nigerian cities face challenges including high vacancy rates, irregular power supply, and competition from informal markets. The Federal Housing Authority's decision to create 59 separate commercial units rather than anchor the mall with large retail chains suggests a strategy targeting small and medium enterprises.
For this approach to succeed, the FHA must address the operational issues that have plagued similar facilities. Consistent electricity supply, adequate security, and competitive rental rates will determine whether the mall attracts sustainable tenants or joins the ranks of underutilized commercial properties. The inclusion of a penthouse suggests an attempt to diversify revenue streams, though details about its intended use remain unclear.
State-level road improvements in Enugu face their own sustainability challenges. Well-constructed roads require ongoing maintenance, drainage management, and traffic regulation—areas where Nigerian governments have historically underperformed. Chief Ani's call for action on water infrastructure underscores the interconnected nature of development challenges. Roads facilitate movement, but without reliable water supply, sanitation, and power, communities cannot fully leverage improved transportation networks.
The simultaneous focus on federal project completion and state-level new construction creates an opportunity for comparative analysis. Over the coming months, observers will track whether the Gwarinpa mall achieves full occupancy and whether Enugu's roads maintain their condition beyond the initial construction phase. These outcomes will inform future decisions about resource allocation and project management across government levels.
President Tinubu's abandoned-project directive has produced its first concrete result in Abuja. Whether this signals a genuine shift in infrastructure delivery or remains an exceptional case will depend on the completion rates of other stalled projects in the federal portfolio. Meanwhile, state governors continue building new infrastructure, sometimes earning bipartisan recognition for their efforts. The real test lies not in ribbon-cutting ceremonies but in the long-term functionality and economic impact of these investments.