A wave of public criticism has greeted the Niger State Government’s decision to construct a new Government House near Zuma Rock in Suleja Local Government Area, with many residents and stakeholders describing the project as a misplaced priority amid pressing developmental challenges.
The proposed complex is to be located behind the iconic Zuma Rock, about 100 kilometres from Minna, the state capital, and less than five kilometres from Abuja, a location that has sparked widespread debate across the state.
Since the proposal became public, citizens have taken to social media to question the rationale behind siting the seat of government so far from the state capital while key sectors such as education, healthcare and road infrastructure remain in need of urgent attention.
Defending the initiative, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barrister Bello Ahmad Agwara, said the project is intended to improve government operations, enhance accessibility and bring administrative activities closer to the rapidly growing Suleja axis.
He explained that the proposed Government House is part of the Greater Niger Master Plan, which covers Suleja, Gurara and adjoining communities, with the aim of promoting planned urban development.
Also speaking, the Surveyor-General of the state, Dr. Idris Aliyu Auna, said the location was strategically chosen because of its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory and its shared boundaries with neighbouring states.
According to him, the facility would enable the governor to conduct official engagements within the area without having to travel into Abuja for meetings.
He added that the government would first establish its legal claim to the land before commencing development, noting that the proposed site covers about 16 hectares, subject to detailed planning and final confirmation.
Despite the government’s explanations, criticism has continued to mount.
Former Director of Media to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state, Usman Mohammed, described the proposal as evidence that the administration had “lost its compass.”
In a Facebook post, he questioned the need for another Government House when a similar three-arms zone project initiated during the administration of former Governor Babangida Aliyu, including commissioners’ quarters that reportedly reached about 90 per cent completion, was abandoned by the succeeding administration.
He argued that reviving or completing existing projects would be more beneficial than embarking on a fresh one.
Mohammed further described the proposal as a waste of scarce public resources, insisting that investment should instead be directed towards schools, hospitals, roads and other critical infrastructure capable of improving livelihoods and stimulating economic growth.
Other residents echoed similar concerns.
Facebook user Bala Dan Isah accused the administration of lacking a clear development agenda, arguing that the project demonstrated poor planning and misplaced priorities.
Another resident, Mohammed Abdullahi, simply described the proposal as “misplaced priority at the highest level.”
The controversy has added to growing public scrutiny over spending priorities in Niger State, with many residents urging the government to channel available resources into projects that directly address the state’s socio-economic challenges.