The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has said that the revocation of the land allocations at the Abuja Technology Village and the University of Abuja by him was necessary to pave the way for the ambitious Abuja City Walk project, modeled after the renowned Dubai City Walk.
Wike, who stated this on Monday, August 4, 2025, during his monthly media chat in Abuja, noted that the supposed investors of the Abuja Technology Village failed to develop the site based on the agreement entered with the government, emphasising that they were instead engaged in land-grabbing activities.
He said that the FCTA provided the infrastructure for more than 20 years, but nothing was done, apart from renting out the place.
He said; “You see where NNPC tankers are parked, and they collect money. So many people are now claiming to have C-of-Os. I said okay, I must resolve this problem. There is nothing called Abuja Technology Village”.
Wike expressed regret that despite the FCT Administration providing the necessary infrastructure for over two decades, developers did not lay a single foundation stone and were instead leasing out the land for financial gain.
While providing insight into the proposed Abuja City Walk, for which an MOU was recently signed with a private investor, The FCT Minister said that he was inspired by the development at the Dubai City Walk during his visit to the Gulf city and reaffirmed his administration’s desire to provide world-class infrastructure of international standard.
He further said; “We are privileged to have travelled. Then when you go to some of these cities, you say, wow! What is difficult that we cannot replicate these in our cities too? These are cities that you can find everything that improves the lives of the people and then will improve the economy and create jobs”.
He assured that the Abuja City Walk will improve the lives of residents, create jobs, and bring overall development to the FCT just as he expressed confidence in the investors involved in the Abuja City Walk, saying they have expressed their commitment to providing drawings and making the payment for necessary fees.
Wike also said that the performance clauses have been introduced into the agreement, with the first phase of the project slated for commissioning next year, adding that the multi-billion-dollar investment will significantly transform the city’s landscape and boost employment.
Commenting on efforts to mitigate land grabbing by unscrupulous investors, the FCT Minister announced a policy shift that stipulates clear timelines for development, stressing that any plot of land not developed within the stipulated period will revert to the FCTA.
The Minister also addressed the controversy surrounding the revoked land of the University of Abuja, asserting that the institution had occupied the land for many years without development. He maintained that the 4,000 hectares remaining for the university was more than adequate, dismissing claims that a significant portion was comprised of rocks.
He also said that development activities, including the EFCC academy, are now springing up on the reallocated land.
On the newly renovated and renamed Abuja International Conference Centre to Bola Ahmed Tinubu Conference Centre, Wike said that barely a month after its reopening, the Centre, has generated over N1.2 billion in revenue for the government, saying that it is a significant increase in revenue compared to the N50 million annually remitted by the center’s previous managers.
The FCT Minister assured residents of more impactful projects beyond recent commissioning exercises and listed ongoing road projects in various Area Councils, rural water projects, and the extensive rehabilitation of schools.
He countered assertions that the FCTA was solely focused on “brick and mortar” projects, explaining that road projects, especially in the Area Councils, were prioritized based on consultations with stakeholders, including traditional rulers and the youth.
