Dozens of current and former Nigerian officials have been linked to hundreds of millions of dollars in US property, according to a new anti-corruption investigation.
The Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa, known as PPLAAF, identified 284 properties worth about $271 million.
The group said the properties were linked to 61 current and former senior Nigerian officials.
However, being linked to a property does not by itself establish criminal wrongdoing.
Report examines 284 US properties
PPLAAF examined properties acquired since Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999.
The investigation covered officials from government, parliament and the security sector.
According to the report, more than half of the properties were purchased while the officials were in office.
PPLAAF said many of the properties were bought without mortgage financing.
The organisation said this raised potential money laundering concerns that warranted further scrutiny.
Of the 61 people examined, PPLAAF said 39 had previously been publicly accused, indicted or sentenced in corruption cases.
Those circumstances differ between individuals and do not establish that every property identified in the report involved illegal funds.
Security sector features in investigation
The report said officials linked to the security sector accounted for the largest number of properties identified.
PPLAAF raised concerns about the scale and transparency of defence and security spending in Nigeria.
It argued that large budgets and opaque procurement processes can create opportunities for corruption.
The organisation described the properties it identified as only part of a potentially wider problem.
Nigeria responds to corruption concerns
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission did not respond to an AFP request for comment, according to the report carried by Africanews.
Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala said the government supported efforts against corruption and cooperation with the United States.
Nigeria has pledged to tackle corruption, while several high-profile cases continue to move through the country’s courts.
PPLAAF also called for stronger international cooperation to investigate and recover assets when there is evidence that they were acquired through corruption.
The organisation said cooperation between countries remains limited despite the large sums involved.