Former President Goodluck Jonathan has criticized the growing trend among Nigerian governors who abandon projects started by their predecessors, describing it as a major cause of waste and inefficiency in government.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Jonathan spoke on Tuesday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, while commissioning the Best Western Plus Hotel. He said the refusal of successive administrations to continue inherited projects has deprived many communities of essential infrastructure and economic growth.

“It is very unfortunate that when one government leaves, the next one abandons most of the projects started by the previous administration,” Jonathan said. “This waste of public resources is one of the biggest problems facing governance in Nigeria.”

The former president recalled that during his tenure as governor of Bayelsa State, his administration initiated several tourism projects, including a five-star Tower Hotel and two three-star hotels. He said the aim was to boost tourism and create jobs for local residents. However, those projects were left incomplete after he left office.

Jonathan also said he provided financial support ranging from ₦10 million to ₦15 million to local hotel operators to improve their facilities, but many of those initiatives were discontinued by later administrations.

“The idea was to strengthen our hospitality industry,” he said. “But unfortunately, those efforts were not sustained after my tenure.”

Jonathan used the occasion to call for continuity in governance, saying every leader should prioritize the completion of existing projects before starting new ones. According to him, maintaining project continuity will save money, improve efficiency, and enhance public trust in government.

The former president also linked the problem to frequent leadership changes in government agencies, especially the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He noted that the commission has had 11 managing directors in 25 years, making it difficult to complete major projects.

“The frequent changes of leadership in the NDDC have seriously affected project delivery,” Jonathan said. “When a new management takes over, ongoing projects are often ignored. This is why many projects remain abandoned.”

Jonathan commended President Bola Tinubu for retaining Samuel Ogbuku as the NDDC’s managing director for more than two years, saying such consistency would improve the commission’s performance.

He urged the federal government to establish policies that ensure leadership stability and continuity in development projects, especially in key agencies responsible for regional growth.

Nigeria has long struggled with incomplete or abandoned projects. According to audits and media reports, billions of naira have been wasted on projects that never reached completion due to changes in political leadership or poor management.

Analysts say Jonathan’s remarks reflect growing public concern about wasteful spending and the lack of accountability in governance. Many citizens have expressed frustration over stalled infrastructure, particularly in the Niger Delta, where oil revenues have not translated into visible development.

Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, has in recent years focused on promoting good governance and peacebuilding across Africa. He emphasized that true leadership should focus on long-term national interest rather than short-term political gain.

“Our leaders must understand that governance is continuous,” he said. “When you inherit a project, you inherit it on behalf of the people, not your predecessor. Completing it means respecting the taxpayers’ money.”

Observers say Jonathan’s comments may renew calls for legislative measures that make project continuity mandatory across all levels of government. Policy experts have suggested the creation of a national database for capital projects to ensure that new administrations follow through on existing commitments.

As Nigeria continues to face economic challenges, Jonathan’s warning serves as a reminder of how waste and inconsistency in governance can slow national progress. Many Nigerians hope his message will inspire a shift toward accountability and continuity in public service.