It was a typical Monday morning along Ahmadu Bello Way in Ilorin, with government offices bustling with activity as civil servants returned to work. However, the Ilorin Visual Arts Centre, a landmark project under construction for more than four years, remained eerily silent amidst the activity.
Situated directly opposite the Kwara State Government House, the multi-billion-naira facility stood locked, with no sign of significant activity. A visit to the site revealed an idle structure guarded by a police officer, who confirmed that no operations had commenced. While the building retains its structural integrity, there are concerns about its potential deterioration due to neglect. Equipment needed to operationalize the facility is still absent, and even the signage bearing its name has been removed.
The Vision Behind the Ilorin Visual Arts Centre
In August 2020, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s administration awarded the construction of the Ilorin Visual Arts Centre to Habtob Global Construction Ventures for N755,496,768.12. This followed a competitive bidding process overseen by the State Executive Council. The government envisioned the centre as an entertainment hub featuring an arts gallery, exhibition spaces, art shops, a modern studio workshop, and other attractions aimed at boosting tourism and the local economy. The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jerome Pasquier, lauded its architectural design during a visit in June 2021.
Unfinished Despite Repeated Promises
Initially scheduled for completion within 50 weeks, the project’s deadline has long since passed. In April 2023, the government claimed that the facility was nearing completion, but as of December 2024, it remains unfinished. In response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, the supervising Ministry of Communications clarified that while the project had been “unveiled,” it had not been commissioned or made operational.
Growing Concerns Over an “Elephant Project”
Lanrey Osho, Director at the Elite Network for Sustainable Development (EnetSuD), criticized the project as a “white elephant,” emphasizing the government’s tendency to prioritize grandiose but incomplete initiatives over people-oriented projects. He called for a shift in focus to projects that directly benefit the state’s residents.
Budget Inflation: A Troubling Trend
Investigations by Chronicles Reporters revealed that the project’s cost has ballooned significantly. Initially approved for N755,496,768.12, the government has spent nearly N2 billion since 2020—an excess of over N1 billion. Annual expenditures include:
- 2020: N268,608,255.00
- 2021: N805,700,260.71
- 2022: N216,246,322.46
- 2023: N335,985,791.00
- 2024 (up to September): N225,742,107.00
The total expenditure, as per state financial records, stands at N1,852,282,736.17, which contradicts the government’s reported figure of N1,764,797,111.70. Additionally, the project’s revised budget of N1,369,435,069.49 is inconsistent with figures found in budget documents.
Government’s Response
Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, attributed the rising costs to economic factors such as inflation and fluctuating exchange rates, noting that the contract was awarded before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global economies. “The dollar exchange rate rose from N388 in 2020 to N1,604 today,” she explained, citing increased costs of construction materials as a key reason for the revised budget.
Olukoju emphasized that expenditures covered tasks such as construction, interior fittings, and landscaping, and she maintained that all spending was accounted for. However, discrepancies remain between official statements and financial records.
Persistent Questions
Further scrutiny raises concerns about the government’s transparency in managing the project. The discrepancy of nearly N100 million between reported and actual expenditures underscores the need for accountability.
While the Kwara State government touts the Ilorin Visual Arts Centre as a transformative project, its prolonged delays and inflated budget leave much to be desired. Citizens and civil society groups continue to demand clarity and tangible outcomes for a facility yet to fulfill its promise.
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