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| FCT Minister, Barr Nyesom Wike (in white) exchanging pleasantries with the EU countries Ambassadors to Nigeria shortly after a meeting with the envoys at the EU office in Abuja on Tuesday |
FCT MINISTER WOOS EU COUNTRIES TO PARTNER WITH FCT ON AGRIC, REAL ESTATE SECTORS
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom
Wike, has invited European Union (EU) Countries to tap into the investment
opportunities in the FCT, especially in the areas of agriculture and real
estate development.
The FCT Minister who gave the invitation during a comprehensive briefing
at the European Union House on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, when he met with envoys
from the EU member countries, cited the territory's rapid transition into a
business-friendly, high-revenue and secure capital.
Making a compelling case for increased European investment in the
nation’s capital, the Minister said the FCT has 274,000 hectares of arable land
for agriculture and a booming real estate sector and called for strategic
partnerships that are mutually beneficial.
He said, “There are opportunities available in the housing sector for you to tap into and for us to collaborate with investors in Abuja. The FCT is a business-friendly capital city. Real estate is a booming sector in the FCT, where investors are building for residential and commercial purposes. The demand for residential and commercial houses is very high. So, investment in real estate is very attractive in the FCT.
“Ours is to ensure that there are laws that protect and guide such
investments without you falling prey to criminals. In terms of land, we are
ready to provide the land through public private partnerships for investors to
go into real estate development.
“The FCT also has potential in the area of Agriculture. The FCT boasts
of about 274,000 hectares of arable land, especially in the Area Councils. We
are providing access roads to these arable lands to encourage agricultural
activities.
“We are not looking for philanthropy; we are looking for a symbiotic
partnership. You benefit, the FCT benefits. The FCT is prepared to do
everything required to secure your investment and protect your interests",
Barr. Wike stated.
The Minister further detailed the systemic reforms in the areas of
security, revenue generation and judicial independence which he said has
transformed the FCT’s economy, making it safe for investments.
Barr. Wike emphasized that the Renewed Hope Agenda has decentralized
development, shifting focus from the city center to the six Area Councils by providing
water and road infrastructure to satellite towns to make life easier for the
rural dwellers.
He specifically noted that the satellite town water projects in Karu,
Orozo, and Bwari, were slated for inauguration during President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu’s third-year anniversary celebration.
Furthermore, the Minister highlighted the shift to renewable energy, noting that agreements signed in Beijing with Chinese companies to light up Abuja with alternative energy were already yielding results, with completion expected by the year-end.
Addressing the challenges of insecurity, Barr. Wike revealed a
multi-layered security strategy including the procurement of specialized
motorcycles for difficult terrains and the construction of roads in identified
"criminal routes" to deny bandits hideouts.
The Minister added that the FCTA has taken steps to integrate the
Police, SSS, Military, and Civil Defence, stressing that the initiative will
allow citizens to report crimes in real-time.
This, according to the Minister, is in addition to the ongoing
construction and furnishing of two new police divisions and staff housing in
each of the six Area Council to ensure permanent security presence.
Speaking on the financial health of the FCT, the Minister disclosed that
the administration has successfully shored up its Internally Generated Revenue
(IGR) from N7 billion monthly in 2023 to N40 billion monthly in 2026, making
the territory the second highest revenue generating sub-national after Lagos.
He said, by beefing up its IGR, the FCT is now able to pay increased
wages and fund massive projects, which, he said, was unattainable during
previous administrations.
On judicial reforms, the FCT Minister disclosed that the FCT
Administration as part of its commitments to the rule of law has carried out
the provision of critical housing facilities to improve the welfare of the
judiciary. He noted that the world-class housing for Judges of the Court of
Appeal, Federal High Court, and FCT High Court in Katampe will be handed over
to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) during the celebration of the President’s
third year anniversary.
He commended President Tinubu for breaking the jinx of ethnic and
religious considerations in appointments, stressing that the President chose
merit over mediocrity in assembling members of his cabinet, a departure from
previous practice. “It didn’t matter that I practice a different religion or
belong to a different party. He wanted someone who could change the narrative.
That is the only way a country can evolve", the Minister said.
Barr. Wike, who also touched on Nigeria’s democratic progress, praised
the introduction of electronic transmission of results as a major improvement
of the electoral process in the country.
Speaking earlier, Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Ambassador
Gautier Mignot, noted that the EU is Nigeria’s first trade and investment
partner in terms of cooperation through the development bank and stressed that
the engagement with the FCT Minister will further strengthen existing
partnership. He added that a similar meeting was held with President Tinubu
where it was agreed that it was also important to discuss with other officials
and members of his cabinet.
He noted that the FCT was fast developing under the leadership of Barr.
Wike, commending the Minister for his efforts in ensuring the security of lives
and property in the FCT.
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| L-R) Chairman PDP Board of Trustees Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, FCT Minister Barr Nyesom Wike and the Head of EU delegation to Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Mr Gautier Mignot during the Minister's visit to the EU office complex in Abuja on Tuesday |
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| FCT Minister Barr Nyesom Wike (5th Left) with Ambassadors of the EU member countries to Nigeria during the Minister's visit to the EU office complex in Abuja on Tuesday |
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| FCT Minister Barr Nyesom Wike (7th left) with envoys of the EU member countries, and officials of the FCTA during the Minister's visit to the EU House in Abuja on Tuesday |
RABI MUSA UMAR
DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PRESS
(OFFICE OF THE HONOURABLE MINISTER)
05/05/2026
FCTA/ODP/PR/835
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