In a recent revelation by Prof. Pat Utomi, the former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has been implicated in a series of contract violations that have led to severe repercussions, including the recent seizure of jets from Nigeria’s Presidential fleet. The jets, which were seized due to unpaid debts, have brought international embarrassment, with the roots of the problem allegedly tracing back to actions taken by Amosun during his tenure.
Prof. Utomi detailed his personal experience with the Amosun administration, highlighting how projects initiated under Amosun’s predecessor, Governor Gbenga Daniel, were abruptly halted, leading to financial losses and project failures. One such project involved a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement for land leased from the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC) in Lagos. Despite having invested over ₦200 million with his South African partners, Utomi’s project was stalled when Amosun assumed office, citing irregularities in the contract list.
Utomi recounts that, despite assurances from Amosun during a personal meeting in Abeokuta, the process of resolving the contract issues became a prolonged ordeal. Amosun even suggested that Utomi request a partial refund, which he ultimately advised against pursuing in court due to the time it would take.
The situation echoes other instances where foreign investors and local businesspeople faced significant challenges under Amosun’s administration, including a prominent Ogun indigene who allegedly committed suicide due to similar contract disputes. The Chinese investors, who were also affected, leveraged their diplomatic influence to push for the seizure of the jets, a move that has now exposed the Nigerian government to international scrutiny.
Prof. Utomi’s account is a stark reminder of the importance of continuity in governance and the need for respect for contractual agreements to foster investor confidence. His new book, *Power, Policy, Politics, and Performance*, documents similar case studies, including one involving South African investors in Enugu as political power changed hands.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the fallout from these events, questions remain about the long-term impact on the country’s reputation as a destination for foreign investment and the lessons to be learned from these costly mistakes.
