Nigerian officials linked to $271 million in US property holdings

An investigation by the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF) and the Anti-Corruption Data Collective (ACDC) has linked 61 current and former high-level Nigerian officials to 284 properties in the United States. The real estate holdings are valued at approximately $271 million.

The report, titled “Nigeria: Dirty Deeds — How Top Nigerian Officials Bought a Piece of America,” details how political and economic elites moved wealth into the US market from 1991 onwards. Notably, 152 properties, worth about $177 million, were acquired while the officials were in office. A significant portion of the acquisitions—roughly 81 percent, or 230 properties—were reportedly purchased without apparent financing, which investigators cite as a red flag for potential money laundering.

Among the 61 individuals identified, 39 have already faced public accusations, indictments, or convictions for corruption. The investigation highlights that many transactions were obscured through the use of companies, intermediaries, or US-incorporated entities. The report also notes that high spending in the security and defense sectors, particularly regarding the fight against Boko Haram, may have created opportunities for non-transparent procurement processes.