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The proposed residential estate, described as a “Terrace Presidential Building” project, will be constructed in Akure, the state capital.
The Ondo State Government has approved N8.168 billion for the construction of 32 units of four-bedroom terrace residential buildings to accommodate cabinet members—an average of N281 million per unit.
The project that was approved at the State Executive Council’s first meeting of 2025, held on April 16, has sparked public outcry, with residents and analysts questioning the government’s priorities amid widespread infrastructural decay, unpaid wages, and a growing security crisis.
According to an official communication from the Cabinet and Special Services Department in the Governor’s Office, obtained by SaharaReporters, the contract was awarded to Cosgrave Investment Ltd., a construction firm based in Abuja. The development is expected to span 18 months and significantly enhance infrastructure and welfare within the top tier of the state’s administrative structure.
Meanwhile, the governor has so far appointed just two commissioners to his cabinet: Olukayode Ajulo (SAN) as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, and Mrs. Omowumi Isaac as the Commissioner for Finance.
The proposed residential estate, described as a “Terrace Presidential Building” project, will be constructed in Akure, the state capital. The move is seen as part of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s continued commitment to improving the working and living conditions of government officials.
The letter conveying the approval, signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet and Special Services Department, noted that the contract is subject to specific conditions. These include a written confirmation of acceptance by the contractor within 14 days of the award and a payment structure tied strictly to milestone performance.
The project falls under the purview of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing, with oversight from the Ministry of Lands and Housing, as both are jointly responsible for its successful delivery.
The document partly reads: "Award Of Contract For The Construction Of Thirty-Two Units Of Four-Bedroom Terrace Residential Building For Cabinet Members, Ondo State.
"At its First (2025) Meeting, held on the 16th of April, 2025, the State Executive Council considered the Memorandum presented by the Chairman of the State Tender's Board (STB) in respect of the above-named project and approved the award of the contract at a sum of Eight Billion, One Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million, Four Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and One Naira, Seventy-Seven Kobo (N8,168,423,901.77) only. The summary of the award is tabulated below:
"Job Description/Location: Construction of Thirty-Two Units of Four-Bedroom Terrace Presidential Building for Cabinet Members, Ondo State.
"Contractor Name And Address: Cosgrave Investment Ltd., 4th Floor, Muhktar El-Yakub Building, Zakaria Maimalari Street, Central Business District, Abuja.”
"Award Price (N): 8,168,423,901.77," it stated.
However, some residents argue that the same N8.168 billion could build over 200 units of 2-bedroom self-contained flats across the state, potentially opening new areas to development and providing affordable housing for teachers, nurses, and civil servants.
“If distributed across Ondo’s 18 local government areas, the money could deliver 20 affordable housing units per LGA. That’s the kind of thinking that transforms communities—not building 32 luxury homes for a yet-to-be-constituted cabinet,” said one resident.
The cost of the housing units—N281 million per unit—has raised eyebrows, particularly as the state already owns vast plots of land and is not purchasing new land for the project.
While speaking with SaharaReporters, some residents accused the Aiyedatiwa administration of running a secretive government. Key financial details, including Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), monthly FAAC allocations, and state expenditure, remain undisclosed to the public.
“This government operates like a secret cult,” said a political analyst in Akure. “Even President Bola Tinubu regularly discloses federal revenues and expenditures. Ondo citizens deserve the same transparency.”
They also lamented the poor state of public services. Rufus Giwa Polytechnic staff remain unpaid, while the much-publicised wage awards and new minimum wage have yet to be implemented across various state institutions.
Additionally, the state’s school shuttle buses are reportedly grounded in multiple local government areas (LGAs) due to poor maintenance, with no efforts to repair or replace them.
Security in Ondo State is deteriorating, with the Amotekun Corps and police complaining of inadequate funding, vehicles, and operational tools. Despite a steady inflow of federal allocations and undisclosed security votes, security logistics remain grossly underfunded.
“What is the governor doing with the monthly security vote?” one resident questioned.
They lamented that Governor Aiyedatiwa has little to show for his time in office. The residents noted that an empowerment scheme where 1,000 women received N35,000 each was widely ridiculed.
“In today’s Nigeria, N35,000 barely cooks four pots of soup. That’s not empowerment; that’s mockery,” the residents added.
With increasing concerns about the management of state resources, some citizens are calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch a full-scale investigation into the state’s finances.
“The governor is not in control of Ondo State’s finances. With just two commissioners and little to no transparency, we must ask hard questions,” a civic group in Ondo town stated.
Some residents also voiced their displeasure, pointing out that major road projects such as the Oda Road, Ijoka Road, and the Onyearugbulem Flyover—initiated under the previous administration—have been abandoned. Meanwhile, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reportedly commenced groundwork on a controversial 10km Akure-Okearo Road, a project shrouded in secrecy with no disclosed cost or completion timeline.
“Successful projects must have clear start and end dates. This is a red herring in project management,” said a civil engineer who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State, did not return calls or respond to messages from SaharaReporters seeking clarification.
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