Boost investment in FCT, Wike urges EU nations

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called on European Union member states to deepen investment relations, strengthen cultural exchanges, and expand partnerships with the Federal Capital Territory Administration to promote economic growth in Abuja and across Nigeria.

Wike made the appeal on Tuesday while addressing Heads of Mission of the European Union at the European Union House in Abuja during a meeting chaired by the Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot.

The meeting had in attendance envoys from Italy, Austria, Ireland, France, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Finland, Belgium, Sweden, Spain, the Czech Republic and Denmark.

The minister said he remained committed to strengthening collaboration between the FCT Administration and EU countries to accelerate development in the capital territory.

“I thank the European Union Delegation to Nigeria for the invitation and continued partnership with the Nigerian Government in advancing shared values of development, stability, and prosperity.

“Today, drawing from the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, His Excellency Bola Tinubu, I will briefly highlight the priority areas of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, the investment opportunities therein, and offer an overview of Nigeria’s evolving political landscape,” Wike said.

Highlighting the priorities of the FCTA, the minister outlined urban and rural development, infrastructure expansion, security, education, health, social welfare, land administration reforms, revenue generation, and rule of law as key focus areas.

He said significant investments had been made in infrastructure, including road expansion, modern public transport systems, and improved water supply.

“We have embarked on a deliberate and sustained investment in infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth and social inclusion by expanding road networks, modernising public transport and improving water supply,” he said.

On security, Wike disclosed that the administration had constructed 12 new fully equipped divisional police headquarters and officers’ quarters across the six area councils of the FCT.

“As a priority too, the administration has strengthened security infrastructure through the building of 12 new fully equipped/furnished Divisional Police Headquarters and Officers’ Quarters (two each in the six Area Councils),” he said.

Wike also told the diplomats that the FCT presents investment opportunities in real estate and housing, entertainment and tourism, agriculture, solid minerals, and waste management, describing Abuja as a business-friendly capital.

Responding to questions from the ambassadors, the minister said ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s electoral system were aimed at strengthening democratic credibility and governance.

He also said the country’s democratic culture was gradually maturing, with increasing reliance on legal and institutional processes for resolving disputes rather than violence.

Wike added that opposition politics should be constructive and not destabilising.

“In a country like Nigeria, where democracy is evolving, opposition should not be seen as an avenue to cause or promote crises, but to provide an alternative and guide the government,” he added.

The minister noted that under President Tinubu’s administration, political relations between the executive and legislature had improved significantly, describing them as partners in governance.

“Compared to earlier periods, there is a decline in highly volatile and rancorous politicking that characterised the relationship between the Executive and the Legislature.

“The relationship between these two key institutions has become that of ‘partners-in-progress’ in the making and implementation of policies and programmes for the welfare of Nigerians,” Wike said.

On economic reforms, he said the administration of the president was implementing bold policy changes under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The Current Administration, in its Renewed Hope Agenda framework, has made bold and at times, difficult reforms aimed at repositioning the economy and improving citizens’ welfare.

“These include: Economic Reforms and Fiscal Restructuring/Discipline, which ensured Subsidy Removal to eliminate a long-standing but corruption-prone system and free up public funds, unification of foreign exchange rates to stabilise the currency and tax reforms aimed at streamlining the Tax System to improve revenue generation.

“Expansion of Social and Welfare Interventions with initiatives like the conditional cash transfer and support for Small and Medium Enterprises to cushion the effect of difficult economic reforms on vulnerable populations and student loans tailored towards giving the Children and Wards of the poor access to education even at the tertiary education levels,” he stated.

He acknowledged ongoing security challenges, including insurgency and criminal activities linked to instability in the Sahel region, but said government efforts were ongoing to address them.

Wike said authorities were strengthening security institutions, improving inter-agency coordination, and investing in intelligence gathering and technology to combat threats such as banditry, kidnapping, and communal conflicts.

He reaffirmed that sustained security reforms remained central to government policy decisions and national stability efforts.

Amb. Mignot, while introducing the minister, described the European Union as Nigeria’s foremost trade and investment partner.

FCT has continued infrastructure upgrades and urban expansion in Abuja alongside efforts to attract investment and strengthen international cooperation.