EXCLUSIVE: Lagos-based Nigerian Research Institute Spends Over N1.5billion To Renovate Minna Emirate Council, Provide Streetlights In Bauchi, Kano, Others

Also, the sum of N78,381,126.32 was paid to Drill Cat Construction Ltd on the same date as “30% mobilization payment approved for construction of roads in Orlu/Orsu/Oru East Federal Constituency, Imo State.” 

The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), Lagos State, has spent over N1.5billion on renovation of Minna Emirate Council Chamber in Niger State, road constructions, and solar streetlight installations in Enugu, Imo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Kano and other states across the country, according to SaharaReporters’ findings.

According to its constitutional mandates as clearly stated on its official website, the NBRRI was established to conduct integrated applied research and Development into the various aspects of the building and construction sectors of the economy in Nigeria. 

According to the institute, “The mandate was later in 1993 expanded to include R&D (Research and Development) into all aspects of Engineering Materials related to the construction industry.”

Specifically, in the Act setting up of NBRRI, the institute “Is required to conduct research on: local building and construction materials to determine the most effective and economic methods of their utilisation.

“Architectural design of buildings to suit Nigerian climatic conditions with respect to lighting, ventilation, thermal comfort and humidity.

“The design and performance of functional units in buildings including electrical installations, plumbing, painting, drainage, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

“Local construction, foundation and earth-works for buildings and bridges, especially on problem soils.

“Local construction and building operations and methods, to increase their effectiveness

“The design and construction of roads best suited to the Nigerian environment.

“The economic and social aspects of the building and construction industry.

“Road safety including the occurrence of accidents and methods of reducing the number of accidents.

“The economic and social aspects of road and transportation schemes, accidents and safety measures.

“Structural designs of buildings and bridges and the development of design criteria, specifications and codes of practice.

“All classes of engineering materials – metals, ceramics, polymers, etc., including the systems for their conversion and processing, materials production/synthesis, materials development, materials availability, processing and applications, materials failure analysis and prevention, corrosion protection and foundry technology.”

In addition, “The institute provides: Consultancy services relating to Building, Road and Engineering Materials to individuals, public and private organizations.

“Specialist support services to medium and small-scale enterprises in the areas of training, testing and evaluation of products, materials characterisation, materials selection (specification), feasibility study, materials information services, enhancement of product quality and market potential.”

Whereas there is no part of its mandates empowers the institute to award or release funds for road, palace, classrooms construction or renovation, or rural electrification projects, SaharaReporters’ review of data from GovSpend, Nigeria's public payments portal, has revealed a series of payments by the institute for projects outside its mandates.

The data obtained from the portal which tracks and analyses Nigerian government spending over time revealed that between November 21, 2024 and December 23, 2024, the institute paid the sum of N1,561,531,173.05 to multiple companies for road, classrooms, construction, renovation, street lights supply and installation, rural electrification, and other projects across multiple states in the country. 

According to GovSpend, on December 8, 2024, the Building and Research Institute in Lagos paid the sum of N78,237,913.50 to Al-Sima Distributors Ltd as “30% mobilisation for the renovation of Council Chamber & construction of Guest Chalets for Minna Emirate Council,” Niger State. 

Also, the sum of N78,381,126.32 was paid to Drill Cat Construction Ltd on the same date as “30% mobilization payment approved for construction of roads in Orlu/Orsu/Oru East Federal Constituency, Imo State.” 

Another N102,317,660.16 was paid to De Evolution Global Resources Ltd on the same December 8, 2024, by the institute “For the supply & installation of solar street light in various locations in Akoko North-East/Akoko North-West,” local government areas of Ondo State.

On December 12, 2024, the building and research institute paid the sum of N172,737,323.96 to Arabs & Partners Limited as “30% mobilisation payment approved for construction of 2km asphaltic surface road from Jagindi Tasha to Kogum River in Jema'a Local Government Area of Kaduna South,” Kaduna State. 

Also, the institute paid the sum of N103,687,889.57 to Mdr Nigeria Ltd. on the same date as “30% mobilisation for the construction of Kulluwa-Chirin-Kode in Bunkure road in Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya,” in Kano State. 

Another N67,232,170.24 was paid to Xtrax 99 Integrated Services Limited on the same date “For the construction of 1km road in Nasarawa Federal Constituency, Kano State, while N188,993,519.57 was paid to Phino-tech & Co Ltd “For the rehabilitation of Okwojo Ngwo road in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.”

On December 23, 2024, the institute paid the sum of N30,500,020 to Rekers Engineering and Construction Limited as “Payment for the outstanding balance for the construction road and drainage in Damboa road Maiduguri, Borno State.

On the same December 23, 2024, the institute paid N154,510,501.32 to Hamright Engineering Limited as “Payment for the establishment of skill acquisition training centre Kokona Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.”

Further search on GovSpend showed that the institute on November 21, 2024, paid the sum of N23,954,051.88 to Pentecost Investment Ltd as “30% mobilization for the construction of blocks of classrooms in Darazo/Ganjuwa,” local government areas of Bauchi State.

On the same date, the institute paid the sum of N26,178,051.91 to Princehood Consolidated Limited as “30% mobilisation payment approved for extension of rural electrification from camp to Kosubosu Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State,” while N152,743,885.30 was paid to Lamar Business Empire Ltd “For the construction of roads in Kaduna South Federal Constituency, Kaduna State.”

The sum of N50,717,598.25 was paid to Tuz Global Service Limited on the same November 21, 2024, by the institute “For erosion control for some communities building embankment walls in various locations in the South-East geo-political zone.”

Also, N27,471,630 was paid to IBS Infrastructure Limited on the same date “For the supply of furniture to skills acquisition centre in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State; while the sum of N103,975,286.26 paid to Mellon De Company Int’l Ltd on the same date was said to be a “30% mobilization for the construction of rural roads with drainage in some selected communities,” in unidentified state. 

Similarly, the institute on the same November 21, 2024, paid the sum of N38,606,332.36 to A.U.I. Multi-Purpose Nig. Ltd. “For the supply of solar powered street light at Beraye & other environs in Kano State; while N18,305,257.99 was paid to De Royal Supremacy Resources Ltd on the same date “For construction of Ewaleifoh Street with drainage system in Esan-North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.” 

Other payments the institute made on November 21, 2024 for projects outside its constitutional mandates include, N23,165,235.96 paid to De Royal Supremacy Resources Ltd “For the provision of solar lights in Obodo Ugichi, Ahiazu Mbaise” in Imo State; N39,397,441.95 paid to Dee Auwal World Wide Concept Ltd as “30% mobilization for the road construction in Kokona and Keffi local government areas of Nasarawa State.” 

Further payment was the sum of N56,464,224.67 paid to Gatplus Dynamic Resources Limited as “30% mobilization approved for construction of health centre in Agbolobi (believed to be Igbobi) Riverine area in Lagos State.”

And N23,954,051.88 paid to Suraj 34 Ltd as “30% mobilisation for the supply and installation of solar powered boreholes in Darazo/Ganjuwa” local government areas of Bauchi State.