The House of Representatives has announced a full-scale investigation into the controversial $460 million Chinese loan secured for the Abuja Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) project, which has remained largely uncompleted more than a decade after its initiation.
Lawmakers expressed deep concern over the continued lack of accountability surrounding the multi-million-dollar project, which was intended to bolster security surveillance in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) but has yielded little to no results despite the massive funds involved.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by a member of the House during Tuesday’s plenary, highlighting what has been described as one of the most glaring examples of waste and mismanagement of public funds in Nigeria’s history.
According to the motion, the project was financed through a $460 million loan obtained from the Export-Import Bank of China, with Huawei Technologies as the contractor. The project was launched in 2010 under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and was aimed at providing real-time surveillance of key areas in Abuja to curb crime and terrorism.
However, over 14 years later, the CCTV infrastructure is either non-functional or abandoned. Reports indicate that only a fraction of the cameras were installed, and most have stopped working due to lack of maintenance and technical follow-up.
One lawmaker noted, “It is disturbing that Nigeria is still servicing this loan despite the project being practically dead. This is a national embarrassment that must not be ignored any longer.”
The House has therefore mandated its Committees on National Security and Intelligence, Police Affairs, and Public Accounts to jointly investigate the disbursement, utilization, and status of the $460 million loan. The committees are expected to summon relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), including the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Interior, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Public outrage over the failed Abuja CCTV project has persisted for years, especially as Nigeria continues to struggle with worsening insecurity across the country. Critics argue that the funds could have significantly improved the nation’s policing infrastructure if properly utilized.
Security analysts also point to the project as a classic example of Nigeria’s poor project management culture. “The CCTV project was meant to be a model for modern urban security, but instead, it became a symbol of mismanagement,” said one Abuja-based analyst. “What’s worse is that the country continues to pay back the loan, essentially servicing debt for a project that doesn’t work.”
This is not the first time the issue has come under parliamentary scrutiny. Similar probes in 2015 and 2019 yielded little progress, with no major official held accountable for the project’s failure. However, the current House leadership has pledged to follow through this time and ensure transparency.
“The House of Representatives will ensure that every kobo of public funds is accounted for,” said a senior lawmaker after the motion passed. “This matter will not be swept under the carpet again.”
The investigation also aims to determine whether any part of the loan was diverted and to assess whether the terms of the loan agreement with China’s Exim Bank were properly adhered to.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with external debt pressures, the Abuja CCTV project remains a stark reminder of the high cost of poorly managed loans and the dangers of corruption in public contracting.
Many Nigerians are now calling for the federal government to revisit all bilateral loan agreements signed over the last two decades to ensure that such wasteful projects do not continue to burden future generations.
