A revealing post by local commentator Muhammed Isah Hassan has exposed what he describes as a systemic rot in how public projects are funded and executed in Gwagwalada.
Hassan paints a grim picture of contractors being forced to pay kickbacks of ₦20–₦30 million just to secure projects worth between ₦200–₦300 million, only to be paid around ₦60 million for actual execution. According to him, “How is such a project expected to be completed? What quality of work can realistically come out of that?”
He argues that this financial structure is at the root of abandoned, substandard, or entirely fictitious projects, warning that it’s not merely a matter of mismanagement but a systemic setup that fails both contractors and the public.
Hassan’s post comes as the administration of Kasim Suleiman prepares to take over governance, highlighting that the real challenge isn’t just effective leadership, but cleaning up a deeply flawed system and restoring accountability in project execution.
“This is how projects die before they even begin,” Hassan wrote, urging that any meaningful development in the council must first tackle this entrenched corruption.
Sources close to contractors in the area confirm that the practice of paying upfront kickbacks is widespread, forcing many to cut corners to survive financially. Analysts warn that if this system isn’t addressed, residents may continue to see poorly executed infrastructure and public services, leaving Gwagwalada’s growth permanently stunted.