From Akinola Aguda House to Aso Rock: A Brief History of Nigeria’s Presidential Residence
A total of N5,176,045,297 has been budgeted for the rehabilitation and repair of office buildings, while N55,056,446 has been earmarked for residential buildings. The 2021 proposal sets aside N4,854,381,299 for the annual routine maintenance of mechanical and electrical installations in the Villa. The construction of the presidential wing in the State House Medical Centre is expected to cost N21,974,763,310.
According to information on the State House website, the Akinola Aguda House was originally conceived as a presidential lodge and guesthouse complex during the presidency of Alhaji Shehu Shagari. It was formally christened on October 1, 1983. In October 1982, the Aguda House hosted the first-ever formal cabinet meeting held outside Lagos, only days after Abuja hosted Nigeria’s Independence anniversary celebration for the first time.
The construction of a new presidential residence commenced in 1985, and in 1991, the Aso Rock Presidential Villa was completed. Former military dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida, became the first Head of State to occupy it, moving in on December 12, 1991. Upon completion of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, the Aguda House became the Vice-Presidential Complex and has remained so till date. The exception was the period between 1999 and 2007 when the Vice-President lived in a residence that was later transferred to the judiciary as official quarters for the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Construction of a new vice-presidential residence commenced in 2010, but the residence has yet to be completed. The Buhari administration has said it is not a priority and that Vice-President Osinbajo will continue to live in Aguda House. Today, the Presidential Complex, located in the Three Arms Zone of the Federal Capital Territory, consists of the main presidential villa (office and residence of the President and offices of the Vice-President and wife of the President), the State House Conference Centre, State House annexe, and the Akinola Aguda House.
Reacting to the news of the renovation, a source in the camp of the President-elect stated that it is the prerogative of Tinubu to decide how he wants the renovation to be done. The source, however, could not confirm if Tinubu was already making input into the renovation. The source added that the new President will determine what he wants in place and that they won’t change anything for him without his knowledge.
Source: https://punchng.com/fg-begins-aso-villa-renovation-ahead-tinubus-inauguration/
