The housing scheme initiated for members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ondo State has remained stalled years after personnel subscribed to the project, anticipating delivery of the units to improve their welfare.
The project, designed to deliver 97 housing units, has been hindered by inadequate funding. SaharaReporters gathered that while the NSCDC awarded the contract in June 2020 at a total cost of ₦498 million, only ₦120 million was reportedly released that same year.
“When money for the project was released, they provided only ₦120 million in 2020, which built just twenty-seven three-bedroom bungalow apartments but could not be completed, as inflation kept creeping in during construction,” a source within the NSCDC, familiar with the developments, stated.
Sources indicated that when it became clear that the ₦120 million was insufficient, both the Federal Mortgage Bank and the NSCDC were alerted to the funding gap. It was noted that contractors were asked to proceed with the available funds, with assurances that additional money would be released later. However, after the initial disbursement, no further funds were released, leading to the project’s abandonment despite earlier publicity and promises of completion.
In August 2025, five years after the contract was awarded, officials of the Federal Mortgage Bank and senior NSCDC officers visited the project site following mounting pressure and complaints from personnel. “However, they did not release any other funds for the project after the visit,” the source added.
During the inspection, officials discovered that inflation and years of abandonment had significantly increased the cost of completing even a fraction of the original plan. “The NSCDC and Federal Mortgage Bank officials found that due to abandonment and inflation, the twenty-eight three-bedroom bungalows now need ₦420 million to be completed,” the source reported.
Following the appraisal, the Mortgage Bank and NSCDC promised to urgently release funds to complete the 27 units already started and construct the 28th unit. However, despite this promise and a subsequent media showcase of their renewed commitment, SaharaReporters gathered that several months later, no additional funds have been released, and construction remains stalled.
Meanwhile, while the housing estate meant for rank-and-file NSCDC personnel has remained uncompleted, SaharaReporters previously reported that a residence designated for a Deputy Commandant of the Corps cost ₦238 million in 2025. On February 14, 2025, ₦79.6 million was paid to Almat Engineering for the construction of a four-bedroom duplex for the Deputy Commandant General of the Corps.
In addition to the stalled housing scheme, personnel have raised concerns about persistent poor welfare, irregular salary payments, and unpaid allowances within the NSCDC. Multiple serving officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, highlighted that these welfare challenges have left many personnel demoralised and financially uncertain.
“These issues have become perennial and have dampened the spirits of officials, who are often left hanging by the management,” one officer stated, while another disclosed that recent salary payments have been selective, with some personnel receiving their salaries while others do not.
“What has been happening in the last seven months is that some people will see their salary while others will not. Some personnel are still owed for December 2025,” the officer mentioned.
Furthermore, disparities in salary payments across banks have been described as unusual for a structured government agency. “The money will just be there; there are disparities per bank. Normally everyone should receive their salaries at the same time, but at NSCDC, it is usually not like that,” another source revealed.
Personnel alleged that access to salaries might depend on personal connections or persistent complaints, stating, “If you fail to ask for your salary or don’t have connections, you may end up losing that month’s salary.”
Credit: Sahara Reporters
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