WIKE TAKES ABUJAS VISION TO GLOBAL STAGE AT 2025 ASIA PACIFIC CITIES’ SUMMIT IN DUBAI

By: Wisdom Acka

In a move underscoring Abuja’s growing influence on the global urban development stage, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has arrived in Dubai to participate in the prestigious 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum (2025APCS).

The Minister, known for his dynamic leadership and relentless drive to position Abuja as a model smart city, touched down in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the early hours of Monday, October 27, after departing the nation’s capital on Sunday.

A statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Communication and New Media, Lere Olayinka, disclosed that the Minister was warmly received by Nigeria’s Consul General in Dubai, Ambassador Zayyanu Ibrahim, alongside a high-powered delegation of FCT officials who had arrived ahead of the summit.

Among the delegation were key figures such as the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda; the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Legal and Multilateral Cooperation, Benedict Daudu; and other top directors overseeing critical sectors like Development Control, Engineering Services, and Protocol.

Abuja Digest reports that the 2025APCS, an initiative of the Brisbane City Council, Australia, is renowned as one of the most diverse gatherings of city leaders, mayors, business executives, and young professionals worldwide.

This year’s edition promises to unlock long-term trade and investment opportunities across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond -a prospect that aligns perfectly with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of fostering international partnerships for Abuja’s sustainable growth.

On Tuesday, the FCT Minister is expected to lead a high-profile discussion panel, where he will field questions on Abuja’s transformative agenda and exchange insights with fellow mayors and urban development experts.

His participation is expected to spotlight Nigeria’s capital as a hub of innovation, investment, and inclusive governance.

According to the statement, the summit represents more than just a diplomatic engagement  it is a strategic opportunity for the FCT to attract global investors, adopt cutting-edge urban solutions, and strengthen ties with cities facing similar developmental challenges.

Under Wike’s leadership, Nigeria’s capital has witnessed accelerated infrastructure upgrades, enhanced security, and a renewed focus on livability.

The Minister’s presence at 2025APCS signals that the city is ready to claim its place among the world’s most forward-thinking capitals.