Abuja, 22 September 2026
An investigation by the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF) has identified 284 properties in the United States, valued at nearly 271 million US dollars (about 370 billion naira), connected to 61 current and former high level Nigerian officials. The properties were acquired from 1991 onwards. Of these, 152 properties worth about 177 million US dollars were purchased while the officials held public office.
The report, produced with the Anti Corruption Data Collective, traces how large sums may have moved from Nigerian public institutions through politically exposed persons, companies, spouses and intermediaries into the American property market. It states that 39 of the 61 individuals have already been publicly accused, indicted or sentenced for corruption. Most of the others have held positions in institutions that have faced repeated corruption allegations since Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999.
Many purchases showed features commonly associated with possible money laundering or unexplained enrichment. Officials and their spouses frequently bought properties in their own names during the officials’ time in office. The report finds that 81 per cent of the properties, by both number and value, were acquired with no apparent source of financing such as a mortgage. A small number of high value transactions also occurred in areas covered by temporary Geographic Targeting Orders issued by the US Treasury Department, which require enhanced reporting for certain residential property deals involving legal entities.
Jimmy Kande, Executive Director of PPLAAF, said the findings show both the failings of individual officials and structural gaps that allow stolen public wealth to cross borders and settle in foreign real estate. He added that the purchases, transfers and sales documented could amount to international money laundering and must be investigated as such. He called on Nigerian and American authorities to work together so that assets proven to have been taken from the public are returned.
Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, said every property listed represents a public service that was never delivered: a road not built, a clinic not staffed, or a school without books. He stated that Nigeria possesses the tools to fight corruption but has lacked the political will to follow the money wherever it leads, including across the Atlantic.
The report describes the properties identified as only the tip of the iceberg. It links the acquisitions to the everyday costs of corruption borne by ordinary Nigerians, including schools and hospitals that were not built or properly staffed and a power grid that fails to keep the lights on.
PPLAAF has called on Nigerian and US authorities to open or expand formal investigations into the assets and transactions, examine the sources of funds used, strengthen cooperation between financial crime and law enforcement agencies, take steps to prevent the dissipation of assets where legally justified, and establish clear mechanisms for the recovery and repatriation of assets shown to have been acquired with stolen public funds.
PPLAAF is a nongovernmental organisation established in 2017 to protect whistleblowers, advocate for them, and pursue strategic litigation when their revelations affect the general interests of African citizens.
By John James
