The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration is transforming Abuja into Nigeria’s most investor-friendly business environment through infrastructure development and governance reforms.
Wike said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the opening of the Abuja Business and Investment Expo 3.0, organised by the Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL).
Represented by the Minister of State for FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, Wike declared that Abuja remained open to credible local and international investors seeking sustainable business opportunities.
He, however, warned that land speculators, fraudulent developers and individuals undermining the Abuja Master Plan would find no refuge within the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister said the ongoing transformation of the nation’s capital under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda had laid a strong foundation for sustainable economic growth.
According to him, infrastructure development remains the bedrock of economic advancement, prompting the administration to embark on an extensive urban renewal programme across the territory.
He said the administration was investing heavily in road construction, water supply expansion, transportation infrastructure, healthcare services and educational development to strengthen Abuja’s competitiveness and attractiveness.
Wike explained that the administration had moved beyond promises by completing abandoned projects, opening new development corridors and extending critical infrastructure to satellite towns and area councils.
He said the efforts had yielded results, citing the FCT Administration’s performance in the 2025 Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council subnational ease of doing business assessment.
According to him, the FCT ranked fourth nationally with a 61 per cent performance score, reflecting the administration’s commitment to governance reforms and investment facilitation.
The minister said the administration would continue working until Abuja emerged as Nigeria’s leading investment destination and one of Africa’s most competitive business hubs.
“The ongoing reforms in land administration, digital governance, revenue collection and institutional accountability are designed to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks.
“They are also meant to enhance transparency and provide investors with a predictable and secure business environment,” he said.
Wike reiterated the administration’s commitment to supporting genuine investors while maintaining strict regulatory standards to safeguard investment confidence and sustainable urban development.
He warned that the administration would deal decisively with fraudulent land allocations, multiple ownership claims, illegal developments and other practices capable of undermining investor confidence.
“Ease of doing business does not mean the absence of regulation.
“We will support and protect genuine investors, but we will not protect land speculators, fraudulent developers or businesses that disregard the law,” he said.
The minister identified real estate, transportation, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, education, renewable energy, technology and creative industries as priority sectors for investment partnerships.
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He urged investors to explore opportunities in rapidly developing satellite towns and emerging districts, noting that Abuja’s next phase of economic expansion would extend beyond the city centre.
Wike assured investors that the FCT Administration would continue providing world-class infrastructure, policy stability and an enabling environment to support sustainable private sector growth.
He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between government and the private sector would accelerate Abuja’s emergence as a globally competitive capital and investment destination.
In her remarks, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AICL, Amb. Maureen Tamuno, described the Expo as a strategic platform for partnerships and investment promotion.
Tamuno said the theme, “Building Nigeria’s Capital: Investment as a Catalyst for Economic Growth,” reflected the administration’s vision of positioning Abuja as a globally competitive investment destination.
She explained that the vision was being driven through improved infrastructure, innovation and stronger collaboration with the private sector across key sectors of the economy.
The AICL chief commended Wike for driving transformational infrastructure and urban renewal projects that had significantly enhanced the attractiveness of the FCT to investors.
She disclosed that participants at the three-day Expo would engage in investment forums, exhibitions, networking sessions and policy dialogues on strategic economic sectors.
According to her, discussions would focus on real estate, infrastructure, technology, renewable energy, solid minerals, sports and the creative economy to attract investments.
Tamuno urged investors, development partners and members of the business community to take advantage of the vast opportunities available across the territory.
She expressed confidence that the Expo would generate strategic partnerships and investments capable of accelerating economic growth in Abuja and Nigeria.
(NAN)
