Wike Defends Abuja Land Revocations, City Walk Project, and Educational Interventions in Media Chat
In a wide-ranging media parley on Monday, August 4, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, addressed key policy decisions on land revocations, infrastructure development, and political affiliations, shedding light on controversies surrounding land reallocations and ambitious urban renewal projects in Abuja.
Justifying the revocation of land titles at the Abuja Technology Village (ATV), Wike described the site as a failed project with no development footprint for over two decades.
“The FCTA provided infrastructure for more than 20 years, and nothing has been done,” he said. “What you see there are NNPC tankers parked and land rented out for profit, no single foundation laid.”
The land, originally allocated for a high-tech hub aimed at fostering innovation and research, was reclaimed to make way for the proposed Abuja City Walk, a luxury urban boulevard inspired by Dubai’s City Walk.
Wike accused ATV “investors” of land speculation and warned that such misuse would no longer be tolerated under his administration.
The minister unveiled plans for the Abuja City Walk, describing it as a multi-billion-naira investment backed by private sector capital. According to Wike, the development would feature modern recreational and commercial facilities, generate employment, and stimulate tourism.
“We’ve signed an MOU. Drawings are coming in. The investors have made necessary payments,” Wike confirmed. The first phase is expected to be commissioned by mid-2026.
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To combat speculative land ownership, Wike introduced a new land policy requiring developers to begin construction within a specified timeframe or risk revocation. This, he said, aims to ensure land is used for the public good and not hoarded by elites for profit.
On the contentious reallocation of University of Abuja (UniAbuja) land, Wike explained that the school had failed to develop its allocated land, and reassured stakeholders that 4,000 hectares remain untouched and sufficient for its academic expansion.
“People claimed most of the remaining land is rocky. But today, the EFCC Academy is on that land,” he noted, pushing back against criticisms of government overreach.
In a striking comparison, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, reopened in June 2025, has already generated ₦1.2 billion in under one month, a sharp contrast to the paltry ₦50 million annually generated by its former managers.
Wike said this demonstrated what effective management could yield for government-owned assets.
Contrary to critics who accuse the FCT Administration of focusing solely on grand infrastructure, Wike highlighted ongoing road projects across Area Councils, rural water interventions, and the rehabilitation of rural schools.
He pledged to commission 10 new school projects and challenged the media to independently verify improvements in rural education infrastructure.
Wike issued a stern warning to ground rent defaulters, stating that the two-week grace period had expired and properties would soon be sealed. He criticized affluent landowners who expect government services but refuse to pay statutory dues.
“You want infrastructure but won’t pay what is due. That’s unacceptable,” he said.
Addressing political matters, Wike reaffirmed his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but justified supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (APC) during the 2023 election. He argued that Tinubu had the courage and capacity to lead, referencing his controversial removal of fuel subsidies.
“Leadership is about bold decisions, even when unpopular. Tinubu did what many were afraid to do,” he said.
Responding to comments from former Ekiti Governor Ayo Fayose describing the PDP as a “carcass,” Wike retorted:
“He’s entitled to his opinion, but I will not leave the PDP for those I consider buccaneers and vampires.”
The FCT Minister also dismissed the emerging ADC coalition as an alliance of “serial defectors” whose performance in past governments casts doubt on their current ambitions to “rescue Nigeria.”
On his strained relationship with Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Wike described their reconciliation as genuine and tied to a peace deal brokered by President Tinubu.
“The President does not want emergency rule. He wants peace and stability,” Wike said, hinting at a return to cordial governance in the state.
Wike concluded the session by calling on FCT legislators to push for a special federal intervention fund, arguing that the FCT’s one percent allocation from the federal account is insufficient for the scope of its capital and recurrent expenditure, especially with recent increases in the national minimum wage.
Wike’s media parley offered rare transparency into the policy direction of the FCTA, signaling a more assertive approach to urban development, revenue generation, and political accountability.
While his actions have drawn criticism from some quarters, the Minister appears determined to reshape the capital city in line with global standards, with an eye on long-term impact
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