News From Nigeria
Julius Berger is a beacon of excellence in Infrastructure development – Quantity Surveyors
A group of certified Quantity Surveyors in the country has hailed leading engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc as beacon of excellence in infrastructural development.
Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors, NIQS Foundation, Olusegun J. Ajanlekoko who made the declaration when he led the Board of Trustees of the Foundation on a courtesy visit to the construction company Tuesday, said, “this foundation is an offshoot of the NIQS. When NIQS turned 50, we thought about what we could use to impact the society, how our presence can be felt, and that was what led to the Foundation.
Describing the NIQS Foundation as a new baby still growing, he said the group needed to look beyond the shores of their immediate environment for partnership opportunities with like-minded organisations. We needed to go beyond the shores of our own confinement and look at how we can partner, how we can extend synergies between ourselves and those who are progressive in the industry, those who have the same vision with us, and our first point of call was Julius Berger. So, when we looked at those who we think can have the same goal, vision and can team up with us; Julius Berger came up on the front board.
Saying that the construction company stands as a beacon of excellence, Ajanlekoko welcomed the opportunity to partner with Julius Berger On behalf of the NIQS Foundation, we send our gratitude for the warm welcome and the opportunity to engage with you in the spirit of collaboration and mutual progress. We must say that Julius Berger Nigeria Plc stands as a beacon of excellence in infrastructure development, delivering projects that have significantly contributed to the growth and modernization of Nigeria.
He continued: Your unwavering commitment to policies, sustainability and capacity building within the construction sector is commendable and serves as an inspiration to industry stakeholders including the NIQS Foundation.
The Chairman then stated that the group’s visit to Julius Berger was driven by the desire to foster a strategic partnership that aligns with their shared objective of promoting excellence, professionalism, and innovation in the built environment, adding that, as a Foundation, we are committed to supporting initiatives that enhance capacity building, research and sustainable development in the quantity surveying profession and the construction industry at large.”
Speaking while welcoming them, Julius Berger’s Director of Administration, Alh. Dr. Abdulaziz Isa Kaita said, your presence here today is not just an acknowledgement of the Institution’s dedication to the values of excellence and professionalism, but a testament of your unwavering commitment to the growth and advancement of quantity surveying in Nigeria.
He said, the NIQS Foundation has been a beacon of hope and progress in the field of quantity surveying even as he acknowledged the group’s efforts in promoting professional development, fostering innovation, and ensuring the highest ethical standards have been instrumental in shaping the landscape of construction and project management in Nigeria through its initiatives that empower young professionals, fund education.
He further said the NIQS Foundation’s visit to Julius Berger has great significance to the company, “as it is an opportunity to strengthen our partnership and collectively explore ways to further the objectives of the foundation. We believe that this engagement will lead to fruitful discussions and actionable steps to empower the next generation of professionals and reinforce the value of quantity surveying in our national development.”
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General, NIQS Foundation, Qs. Dr. Celestina N. Eke said, “The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors Foundation is an independent organization formed by the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and registered to carry out research and the necessity to improve the lives of individuals and create a better environment through research and alleviation programmes.
The Foundation, she continued, is registered as Incorporated Trustees under Part F, Section 823 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
She continued: This courtesy visit of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors to Julius Berger marks a significant step towards enhancing collaboration and communication within the construction industry. We express strong commitment to working together on future initiatives that promote professional development and address the challenges faced by quantity surveyors. This partnership is expected to contribute positively to the growth and advancement of the sector, ensuring the delivery of high-quality and sustainable construction projects in Nigeria. We believe this partnership will reinforce Julius Berger’s leadership in Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Development.”
On the delegation of the NIQS Foundation Board of Trustees to the event include Director-General, NIQS Foundation, Qs. Dr. Celestina N. Eke; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Olusegun J. Ajanlekoko, NIQSF Secretary BOT, Osaretin Okoro, Secretary General of NIQS, Rotimi Bola Ojelade, Former FCT Chairman, representing the NIQS President, Qs. Okaru Joseph A; NIQSF BOT Member, Rabiu Suleiman Yusuf, Project Manager, NIQSF, Ihebuzor Uzomeshina Obinna; Learning, Research and Grant Writing, Tanko Muhammed Lawal; NIQSF Desk Officer to NIQS Foundation, Taofeek Bunmi Adefisayo,
The Julius Berger delegation to the event was led by the Director Administration, Alh. Dr. Abdulaziz Isa Kaita ably supported by Chief Risk Officer, Shakira Mustapha, Human Resource Coordinator, Mohammed Nasiru, Qs. Gabriel Victor Idah, Qs. Mary Helen Wumba, Emmanuel Isibor and Olivia Uzoma.
SERAP sues Tinubu over ‘failure to prosecute contractors in N167bn project fraud in MDAs’
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu over “the failure to direct the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun to name and ensure the prosecution of the contractors who collected over N167 billion from 31 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) but failed to execute any projects.”
Joined in the suit as Respondent is the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
In the suit number FHC/L/MISC/121/2025 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP is asking the court “to compel President Tinubu to direct Mr Fagbemi to bring to justice, as appropriate, any companies and contractors who collected over N167bn of public funds from 31 MDAs but failed to execute any projects.”
SERAP is asking the court “to compel President Tinubu to direct Mr Olawale Edun to publish the specific names of the companies and contractors who collected over N167 billion from 31 MDAs but failed to execute any projects, as documented in the 2021 Audited Report by the Auditor General of the Federation.”
SERAP is also asking the court “to compel President Tinubu to direct Mr Olawale Edun to publish the details of the projects, such as the locations of the projects for which the contractors and companies collected N167bn, the amount collected by each contractor and company and the names of the shareholders.”
In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “The allegations of corruption involving many companies and contractors who collected over N167 billion from 31 MDAs have continued to impair, obstruct and undermine access of poor Nigerians to public goods and services.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “Holding the companies and contractors who collected over N167bn from 31 MDAs but disappeared with the money would prevent and combat waste, fraud, and abuse in the spending of public funds.”
According to SERAP, “There is a legitimate public interest in not shielding or allowing ingrained wrongdoing by companies and contractors to go unpunished.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “The consequences of corruption are felt by citizens on a daily basis. Corruption exposes them to additional costs to pay for health, education and administrative services.”
SERAP said, “The allegations suggest a grave violation of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), the country’s anticorruption legislation and international anticorruption obligations.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Oluwakemi Agunbiade, read in part: “Granting the reliefs sought would ensure transparency and accountability in how any public funds are spent by MDAs, and reduce vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement.”
“The UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party contains requirements of integrity and honesty in economic, financial or commercial activities-both in the public and private sectors.”
“It also imposes obligations on the government to ensure that sanctions imposed for corruption on natural and legal persons are effective, proportionate and dissuasive.”
“Ensuring the accountability of companies and contractors and the recovery of any diverted public funds would improve public accountability in MDAs.”
“The accountability of government to the general public is a hallmark of democratic governance, which Nigeria seeks to practice.”
“According to the 2021 annual audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation published on Wednesday 13 November 2024, thirty one (31) ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) paid over N167 billion [N167,592,177,559.40] to companies and contractors for contracts and projects not executed.”
“The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., (NBET) alone reportedly paid N100 billion to companies and contractors for projects not executed.”
“Companies and contractors reportedly collected N100 billion from the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., (NBET) for contracts and projects not executed.”
“The thirty other MDAs including Nigerian Correctional Service; National Pension Commission, Abuja; Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri; and Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) Office.”
“Others include: Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF); Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development; Federal Medical Centre, Bida, Niger state; National Centre for Women Development; Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution; National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB); Federal University of Gasua; and Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.”
“Accountability requires transparency. Nigerians’ right to a democratic governance allows them to appreciably influence the direction of government, and have an opportunity to assess progress and assign blame.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Kolawole Oluwadare
SERAP Deputy Director
9/02/2025
Lagos, Nigeria
Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org
Twitter: @SERAPNigeria
Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202