President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate dissolution of the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) on the Alienation/Sale, Privatisation, and Leasing of Federal Government Properties, bringing an end to the 25-year-old body established during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The directive was confirmed in an official statement released in Abuja on Thursday, July 30, 2026, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. All residual functions, pending files, and coordination relating to the committee’s mandate have been transferred to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
Key Operational Highlights & Directives
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Immediate Cessation of Operations: Following the presidential order, erstwhile PIC Secretary B. S. Dutsin-Ma has been directed to immediately cease acting on behalf of the committee and the Federal Government on all property-related matters.
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Transfer to Justice Ministry: Oversight of all ongoing federal real estate alienation, leases, asset reconciliations, and related legal disputes will henceforth be managed under the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
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Proliferation of Court Cases: Presidency officials cited a comprehensive review revealing that the PIC had drifted significantly beyond its primary scope, generating multiple litigations across the country and creating regulatory friction.
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Historical Background: Formed in 2000 under Obasanjo’s monetisation policy, the committee was established to supervise the sale, lease, and commercial disposal of federal housing units, lands, and administrative properties to curb waste.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ FEDERAL PROPERTY COMMITTEE DISSOLUTION │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Disbanded Body : Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) │
│ on Federal Government Properties │
│ │
│ • Establishment Era : Year 2000 (Obasanjo Administration) │
│ │
│ • Key Trigger : Mandate creep & proliferation of litigations │
│ │
│ • New Custodian : Office of the Attorney General of the Federation │
│ & Minister of Justice (Lateef Fagbemi, SAN) │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
(Sources: Presidency Directorate of Information & Federal Ministry of Justice)
“Continued Existence No Longer Justified”
Elaborating on the rationale behind the structural changes, the Presidency emphasized that the framework governing federal property alienation required consolidation to eliminate legal vulnerabilities and administrative duplication:
“After careful consideration, the government noted that the activities of the PIC had extended beyond its original mandate, resulting in multiple litigations across the country, and the continued existence of the committee is no longer justified… Accordingly, the President directed the dissolution of the PIC and that the Attorney General of the Federation coordinate its activities.” — Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President
The AGF’s office is expected to issue updated guidelines to manage ongoing property claims, verify legal titles, and resolve pending legal disputes involving former government assets.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
