FCT MINISTER WOOS EU COUNTRIES TO PARTNER WITH FCT ON AGRIC, REAL ESTATE SECTORS

By: Rabi Musa Umar

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has invited European Union (EU) Countries to tap into investment opportunities in the FCT, especially in agriculture and real estate development.

The FCT Minister, who gave the invitation during a comprehensive briefing at the European Union House on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, when he met with envoys from the EU member countries, cited the territory’s rapid transition into a business-friendly, high-revenue and secure capital.

Making a compelling case for increased European investment in the nation’s capital, the Minister said the FCT has 274,000 hectares of arable land for agriculture and a booming real estate sector and called for mutually beneficial strategic partnerships.

He said, “There are opportunities available in the housing sector for you to tap into and for us to collaborate with investors in Abuja. The FCT is a business-friendly capital city. Real estate is a booming sector in the FCT, where investors are building for residential and commercial purposes. The demand for residential and commercial houses is very high. So, investment in real estate is very attractive in the FCT.

“Ours is to ensure that there are laws that protect and guide such investments without you falling prey to criminals. In terms of land, we are ready to provide the land through public-private partnerships for investors to go into real estate development.

“The FCT also has potential in the area of Agriculture. The FCT boasts of about 274,000 hectares of arable land, especially in the Area Councils. We are providing access roads to these arable lands to encourage agricultural activities.

“We are not looking for philanthropy; we are looking for a symbiotic partnership. You benefit, the FCT benefits. The FCT is prepared to do everything required to secure your investment and protect your interests”, Barr. Wike stated.

The Minister further detailed the systemic reforms in the areas of security, revenue generation and judicial independence which he said has transformed the FCT’s economy, making it safe for investments.

Barr. Wike emphasized that the Renewed Hope Agenda has decentralized development, shifting focus from the city center to the six Area Councils by providing water and road infrastructure to satellite towns to make life easier for the rural dwellers.

He specifically noted that the satellite town water projects in Karu, Orozo, and Bwari, were slated for inauguration during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third-year anniversary celebration.

Furthermore, the Minister highlighted the shift to renewable energy, noting that agreements signed in Beijing with Chinese companies to light up Abuja with alternative energy were already yielding results, with completion expected by the year-end.

Addressing the challenges of insecurity, Barr. Wike revealed a multi-layered security strategy including the procurement of specialized motorcycles for difficult terrains and the construction of roads in identified “criminal routes” to deny bandits hideouts.

The Minister added that the FCTA has taken steps to integrate the Police, DSS, Military, and NSCDC, stressing that the initiative will allow citizens to report crimes in real-time.

This, according to the Minister, is in addition to the ongoing construction and furnishing of two new police divisions and staff housing in each of the six Area Council to ensure permanent security presence.

Speaking on the financial health of the FCT, the Minister disclosed that the administration has successfully shored up its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N7 billion monthly in 2023 to N40 billion monthly in 2026, making the territory the second highest revenue generating sub-national after Lagos.

He said, by beefing up its IGR, the FCT is now able to pay increased wages and fund massive projects, which, he said, was unattainable during previous administrations. 

On judicial reforms, the FCT Minister disclosed that the FCT Administration as part of its commitments to the rule of law has carried out the provision of critical housing facilities to improve the welfare of the judiciary. He noted that the world-class housing for Judges of the Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, and FCT High Court in Katampe will be handed over to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) during the celebration of the President’s third year anniversary.

He commended President Tinubu for breaking the jinx of ethnic and religious considerations in appointments, stressing that the President chose merit over mediocrity in assembling members of his cabinet, a departure from previous practice. “It didn’t matter that I practice a different religion or belong to a different party. He wanted someone who could change the narrative. That is the only way a country can evolve”, the Minister said.

Barr. Wike, who also touched on Nigeria’s democratic progress, praised the introduction of electronic transmission of results as a major improvement of the electoral process in the country.

Speaking earlier, Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, noted that the EU is Nigeria’s first trade and investment partner in terms of cooperation through the development bank and stressed that the engagement with the FCT Minister will further strengthen existing partnership. He added that a similar meeting was held with President Tinubu where it was agreed that it was also important to discuss with other officials and members of his cabinet.

He noted that the FCT was fast developing under the leadership of Barr. Wike, commending the Minister for his efforts in ensuring the security of lives and property in the FCT.