President Bola Tinubu has said the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is witnessing remarkable improvement under the leadership of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, declaring that Abuja is changing for the better 50 years after it was created.
The President made the remarks on Friday night at a special thanksgiving dinner held in Abuja to celebrate the inauguration of 31 projects completed across the FCT within 28 days.
Tinubu, who was represented at the event by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, commended Wike and members of his team for what he described as their commitment and sacrifices in ensuring that the nation’s capital delivers better services and infrastructure to residents.
According to the President, the transformation taking place in the FCT reflects the impact of purposeful leadership and effective governance.
“Tonight turns out to be the night given to God Almighty. I will thank God for our lives and for the survival of our country many years after. I will also thank God for the residents and indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory.
“Fifty years after Nigeria created the FCT, things changed, things have turned around and things are getting better,” Tinubu said.
The President praised Wike for demonstrating that leadership should be measured by visible results rather than promises.
He said the projects executed across Abuja showed that government could deliver meaningful development when vision is backed by determination.
According to him, the Federal Capital Territory belongs to all Nigerians regardless of tribe, religion or political affiliation, describing it as a symbol of national unity.
“The FCT belongs to every Nigerian. It is where unity resides, where diversity meets and where the hope of every citizen finds a common address,” he said.
Tinubu added that every completed road, bridge and public facility improves the lives of residents by reducing travel time, creating opportunities and strengthening social and economic connections.
“Every new road here shortens somebody’s journey. Every new bridge connects more than communities; it connects friendship, it connects love, it connects unity, and also connects opportunities for Nigerians.
“Every completed project quietly tells Nigerians that the government can still work when vision meets determination,” he added.
The thanksgiving dinner marked the completion and inauguration of 31 projects spread across different parts of the Federal Capital Territory over a period of 28 days.
The projects form part of the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure programme under its Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to improve roads, transportation, public facilities and other essential infrastructure across the country.
Also speaking at the event, former Minister of the FCT and Special Adviser to the President on General Duties in the Office of the Vice President, Aliyu Modibbo, described Wike as one of the best-performing ministers to have managed the territory.
Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, Modibbo expressed confidence that Wike would continue as FCT minister if Tinubu secures a second term in office.
According to him, four years would not be enough to complete the ongoing transformation of the nation’s capital.
“Four years is not enough to complete what you have started,” Modibbo said.
In his remarks, Wike reflected on the challenges he met when he assumed office as Minister of the FCT in August 2023.
He said many civil servants in the administration were demoralised and lacked motivation to effectively implement government policies.
According to him, one of the first steps taken by his administration, alongside the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, was the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission.
He explained that the commission created a proper career progression for workers by allowing civil servants to rise to the positions of permanent secretary and Head of the Civil Service within the FCT Administration.
Wike said President Tinubu approved the creation of the commission to improve workers’ morale and encourage greater commitment to public service.
He credited the improved motivation of civil servants as one of the reasons behind the administration’s growing record of completed projects.
According to him, the FCT Administration inaugurated nine projects during Tinubu’s first year in office, 19 projects in the second year and 31 projects in the third year.
The minister also attributed the administration’s improved performance to the removal of the FCT Administration from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
He explained that the decision enabled the administration to access funding from commercial banks, making it easier to finance ongoing infrastructure projects.
Wike said the additional financial flexibility had helped speed up the completion of projects across the territory.
He also praised contractors handling various projects for delivering quality work within agreed timelines despite economic challenges.
The minister assured residents that his administration would continue working closely with contractors to improve infrastructure and public services across the FCT.
“Comparatively, what Tinubu has done and will continue to do in the FCT is unprecedented,” Wike said.
He disclosed that about 70 per cent of the projects completed by his administration were inherited from previous governments after they had been abandoned for years.
According to him, completing abandoned projects has been one of the administration’s priorities in order to maximise public resources and ensure residents benefit from long-delayed infrastructure.
“The only project that was not completed is the Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX),” he added.
Also speaking, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas described Wike as the best-performing FCT minister so far.
Represented by the House Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Abbas said Abuja had witnessed what he called monumental and unprecedented transformation under Wike’s leadership.
He commended the minister for accelerating infrastructure development and improving public services across the territory.
Speaking on behalf of contractors, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr Peer Lubasch, said construction companies working in the FCT had witnessed more project inauguration ceremonies in recent weeks than they had seen in many previous years.
Lubasch praised President Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure development as a key driver of economic growth and national development.
He also commended Wike for what he described as his clear vision, effective planning and sustained investment in the nation’s capital.
According to him, Abuja continues to develop into one of Africa’s leading purpose-built capitals because of consistent investment in roads, bridges and public infrastructure.
“We are proud that we have been an integral part of Abuja’s story from its formative years to the present day,” Lubasch said.
Created in 1976 to replace Lagos as Nigeria’s capital, the Federal Capital Territory was designed to serve as a neutral administrative centre for the country. Over the years, successive administrations have invested in expanding its road network, public buildings and satellite towns to meet the demands of a growing population.
The current administration has placed infrastructure development at the centre of its economic agenda, arguing that improved roads, bridges and public facilities will boost business activities, ease transportation and improve the quality of life for residents.