Why Edo State wants to sell prime Victoria Island property amid controversy — Afegbua

The Edo State Government has explained why it plans to sell Edo House, its liaison office in Victoria Island, Lagos, with Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua saying the property has become a financial burden despite the controversy surrounding the decision.

The property, located at 1225 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, has reportedly been earmarked for sale by the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, with proceeds expected to fund the construction of a new International Conference Centre at the Garrick Memorial School grounds in Benin City. The proposed sale has revived a long-standing debate, as previous administrations had considered disposing of the property but abandoned the move following resistance from stakeholders.

Afegbua said the ageing building continues to consume public funds without generating revenue, noting that rents had already been collected upfront for several years by the previous administration.

“We will sell it and use the proceeds to build an international conference centre at the Garrick Memorial School grounds in Benin City. The conference centre will create employment opportunities and generate revenue for the government. It will serve Edo people better,” Afegbua said.

The proposal has, however, drawn criticism from political leaders, professionals and civil society groups, who argue that Edo House is one of the state’s most valuable public assets outside Edo and should be preserved for future generations.

Former Managing Director of the Edo Development and Property Agency, Dr Pedro Obaseki, described the property as a historic inheritance that should not be sold, urging the government to redevelop and commercialise it instead of disposing of the asset.

A Lagos-based Edo indigene, Linus Ojo, also opposed the move, warning that selling the property to fund another project would amount to sacrificing a permanent asset for temporary financial gains. He urged the government to explore alternative funding sources.

A member of the Edo Civil Society Organisations, who spoke anonymously, cautioned that selling the property without broad stakeholder consultation could trigger public backlash, describing Edo House as an important symbol of the state’s identity in Nigeria’s commercial capital. Built during the administration of the late Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia, the building has served as the state’s official presence in Lagos for decades.