The Presidency has issued a stern rebuttal to a recurring piece of misinformation claiming that a bill has been signed to return the Federal Capital of Nigeria to Lagos State by the year 2027. This fake news story gained significant traction in February 2026, fueled by miscontextualized videos of ongoing massive infrastructure projects in Lagos and the renovation of certain federal liaison offices.
Special advisers to the President on Information and Strategy clarified that Abuja remains the sole administrative and political capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution. The statement noted that the movement of certain departmental headquarters, such as parts of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) or the Central Bank’s operational departments, for administrative efficiency does not equate to a relocation of the capital city.
The Presidency attributed the resurgence of this rumor to “political mischief makers” seeking to stir ethnic tensions and regional divisions ahead of the next election cycle. The rumor claimed that the “Lagos Relocation Act” was secretly debated and passed, but no such bill exists on the floor of either the House of Representatives or the Senate.
Legislative experts have highlighted that moving the capital would require a constitutional amendment, which involves a complex process requiring the approval of two thirds of the National Assembly and the concurrence of two thirds of the State Houses of Assembly. There is currently no legislative movement or public hearing regarding such a monumental shift. The government emphasized that Abuja was specifically designed to be a neutral, central location for all Nigerians, and any suggestion of abandoning it is entirely baseless. The public is encouraged to consult the official website of the National Assembly to track bills and avoid falling victim to sensationalist headlines designed to incite national instability.
