Abuja, Nigeria — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has renewed calls for transparency in the controversial $460 million Abuja CCTV surveillance project, urging the Federal Government to publish the identities of all local contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and beneficiaries linked to the scheme.
In a statement dated May 24, 2026, SERAP asked the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Taiwo Oyedele, to immediately release full details of payments made under the project, formally known as the National Public Security Communication System.
The group said Nigerians deserve clarity on how funds from the project were disbursed, especially given its poor performance and lingering questions over accountability.
Background to the CCTV Project
The Abuja CCTV project was financed through a $460 million loan from the Export-Import Bank of China in 2010 during the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Of the total sum, $399.5 million came from the loan facility, while $70.5 million was provided as counterpart funding by the Nigerian government.
Despite the huge investment, the system has been widely criticised for underperformance, with several installed cameras reportedly non-functional years after deployment.
Court Order and Controversy
A Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier, on May 15, 2023, ordered the Ministry of Finance to disclose the total funds disbursed, the contractors involved, and the current operational status of the project.
However, in a recent response to SERAP, the Ministry reportedly stated that it has “no detailed records” identifying the local contractors or companies that executed parts of the project, although it acknowledged that subcontractors may have been involved.
SERAP has described the response as inadequate, insisting that the lack of documentation raises serious accountability concerns over one of Nigeria’s most expensive security infrastructure projects.
The organisation argued that transparency is essential, particularly as Nigerians continue to service the loan despite the project’s questionable impact.
The Federal Government has yet to respond to SERAP’s latest demand at the time of filing this report.
Public debate has since intensified, with calls growing for a full forensic audit of the project and disclosure of all parties involved in its execution.
