FG to begin sale of state-owned assets in 2026 – Edun
The Federal Government has said it will begin the sale of some state-owned assets to private investors starting from 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen the economy and attract
The Federal Government has said it will begin the sale of some state-owned assets to private investors starting from 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen the economy and attract more investment.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, made this known on Monday during an interview with Bloomberg on the sidelines of the AlUla conference for emerging market economies held in Saudi Arabia.
Edun explained that the government is already working on identifying which public assets will be put up for sale and when the transactions will take place. According to him, the move is part of a broader plan to bring in private sector funds and improve the performance of government-owned assets. “The plan is to offer some assets in 2026,” the minister said.
He added that the government has taken steps to improve the country’s economic environment, making Nigeria more attractive to investors both at home and abroad.
“What we have put in place has made Nigeria very competitive in terms of the economic conditions and very attractive in terms of the incentives for investors. I think investors are now more comfortable to invest in Nigeria,” Edun said.
The minister explained that the government is not only looking at outright sales but is also open to partnerships between the public and private sectors. He said such partnerships would allow private investors to bring in funds, expertise and efficiency to manage certain assets better.
“We are interested in private public partnerships, optimisation of our assets by having others come in and invest,” he said.
The planned asset sales are coming as part of ongoing economic reforms being carried out by the federal government. Edun had earlier stated on January 22 that Nigeria is pursuing what he described as job-rich and inclusive growth. He said attracting investment is key to raising productivity, creating jobs and expanding the economy.
According to him, Nigeria remains committed to reforms aimed at restoring confidence in government policies and ensuring stability in the economy. These reforms are designed to improve fiscal discipline, strengthen public finances and create a stable environment where businesses can grow.
Sources at the Presidency have said the federal government is considering the sale of some public assets as part of plans to attract fresh investment and raise value for the economy.
The sources told The Nation that the assets under review may include industrial and manufacturing facilities, energy assets such as refineries, real estate and other landed properties, as well as equity stakes in some companies.
According to the source, the government “will look to dispose of assets that are not doing well but have the potential to attract reasonable amounts running into billions of dollars.”
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, spoke on the plan while appearing on ARISE Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday.
Bagudu said the government is holding on to too many assets that are no longer adding value to the lives of Nigerians.
“Government has held too many assets that are not generating value for Nigerians, and there are opportunities for investors to come in so those assets can contribute to national prosperity,” he said.
He used the oil sector to explain his point. Bagudu said Nigeria has the capacity to produce about three million barrels of crude oil per day, yet actual production is still below 1.5 million barrels.
He also spoke about the country’s gas resources. He said Nigeria has about 210 trillion cubic feet of gas, but less than seven per cent is currently being used.
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According to him, this situation shows the need for new investors and better management to improve output and increase government revenue.
Bagudu also raised concerns about the performance of government-owned refineries. He said large sums have been spent on repairs, yet the refineries are still not making profit.
“We just saw when NNPC admitted that in spite of spending about $1.5 billion on the refineries, they are not working profitably. So why hold on to assets that are not delivering value? Bringing in investors can help put them to better use,” he said.
Economic experts have always argued that if properly managed, the sale or concession of state-owned assets can help the government raise funds, reduce the burden of maintaining underperforming enterprises and free up resources for critical sectors such as health, education and infrastructure. However, they also stress the need for transparency and accountability in the process to ensure that public interest is protected.
With the planned transactions set to begin in 2026, attention will now turn to the specific assets to be offered and how the government intends to carry out the sales. For many Nigerians, the key concern will be whether the move will lead to improved services, more jobs and stronger economic growth in the coming years.