President Bola Tinubu has praised the ongoing development of the Federal Capital Territory, saying Abuja has witnessed remarkable progress under the leadership of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
The President made the remarks on Friday during a thanksgiving dinner held in Abuja to celebrate the inauguration of 31 projects completed across the FCT within 28 days.
Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu described the transformation as significant, noting that the nation’s capital was experiencing positive change five decades after its establishment.
“Fifty years after the creation of the Federal Capital Territory, things have changed, things have turned around, and things are getting better,” he said.
Tinubu commended Wike and his team for their commitment to improving infrastructure and public services, adding that effective leadership is reflected in visible results rather than promises.
“Leadership is not measured by how loudly one announces plans, but by how clearly the people can see the results of those plans,” the President stated.
He added that every completed road, bridge and infrastructure project in the FCT strengthens national unity, creates opportunities and restores confidence in government.
Also speaking, former FCT Minister and Special Adviser to the President on General Duties in the Office of the Vice President, Aliyu Modibbo, applauded Wike’s performance, expressing hope that he would continue in the role beyond the current administration’s first term.
“Four years is not enough to complete what you have started,” Modibbo said while representing Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In his address, Wike said he inherited a civil service with low morale when he assumed office in August 2023 but worked with the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, to improve workers’ welfare.
According to him, one of the major achievements was the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, which now provides career progression opportunities for civil servants up to the positions of Permanent Secretary and Head of Service.
“The President approved the commission to motivate workers so they can give their best toward the development of the FCT,” Wike said.
The minister noted that the administration commissioned nine projects during Tinubu’s first year in office, 19 in the second year and 31 projects in the third year.
He also attributed the pace of infrastructure development to the removal of the FCT Administration from the Treasury Single Account, saying it enabled easier access to funding for projects.
Wike disclosed that about 70 per cent of the projects recently completed were abandoned by previous administrations, adding that the only outstanding project is the Inner Southern Expressway.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere, described Wike as the best-performing FCT minister so far, saying Abuja had experienced unprecedented transformation under his leadership.
On behalf of contractors, Julius Berger Managing Director, Dr Peer Lubasch, commended Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure development and praised Wike’s vision, saying the projects were helping to position Abuja as one of Africa’s leading purpose-built capitals.
