VP Shettima has reportedly shunned his new ₦15 Billion residence over alleged security concerns.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that Vice President Kashim Shettima has yet to move into his new official residence, nearly a year after its completion.
The residence was commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on June 7, 2024.
It was built at the cost of N21 billion, after 14 years since the contract for the building was awarded. It should be recalled that there was an initial approval of ₦7 billion for the residence in 2010 and an additional ₦15 billion sanctioned by the National Assembly in November 2023. However, since its construction, the Vice president has yet to live a day in the building.
Sources familiar with the matter have revealed that security concerns are the primary reason for the delay.
According to sources, the location of the residence is not ideal for a high-profile national public officer like the Vice President. This has raised concerns about the safety and security of the Vice President and his family. However, these claims have not been officially confirmed.
The official residence, handed over to the Presidency by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration, has been quiet. As reported by DailyTrust, a visit to the residence on January 31, 2025, revealed only a few plainclothes security operatives manning the house, with no signs of activity in the vicinity.
The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has confirmed that the work components on the Vice President’s residence have been completed and handed over to the Presidency.