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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned land grabbers, speculators and fraudulent developers that Abuja will no longer serve as a safe haven for activities capable of undermining the city’s master plan.
Wike said the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) was committed to transforming Abuja into Africa’s leading investment destination, while creating an environment that supports credible local and foreign investors.
The minister stated this at the opening of the Abuja Business and Investment Expo (ABIE) 3.0 in Abuja, yesterday.
Represented by the Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, Wike said ongoing reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda were aimed at making Abuja one of Nigeria’s most investor-friendly cities.
He, however, warned that while genuine investors would receive government support, illegal land allocations, multiple ownership claims and unauthorised developments would be tackled decisively.
“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,” Wike said.
The minister said reforms in land administration, digital governance, revenue collection and institutional accountability were designed to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, improve transparency and provide investors with a secure and predictable business environment.
He added that the administration would continue working towards making Abuja Nigeria’s foremost investment destination and one of Africa’s most competitive business centres.
According to him, ongoing infrastructure development across the FCT has created the foundation for private sector-led economic expansion.
He listed road construction, urban renewal, improved water supply, transport infrastructure, healthcare and education projects among initiatives that have repositioned the capital for increased investment.
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Wike said the administration had moved beyond policy pronouncements by completing abandoned projects, opening new development corridors and extending infrastructure to satellite towns and Area Councils.
He also cited the FCT’s fourth-place ranking in the 2025 Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Subnational Ease of Doing Business assessment, where it recorded a 61 per cent performance score, as evidence of progress.
The minister identified real estate, transportation, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, education, renewable energy, technology, creative industries, waste management and urban infrastructure as key sectors with investment opportunities.
He urged investors to explore emerging districts and satellite towns, noting that Abuja’s next phase of economic expansion would extend beyond the traditional city centre.
“The FCTA will continue to provide world-class infrastructure, policy stability and an enabling environment, while expecting the private sector to deliver quality projects, create employment and contribute meaningfully to economic development,” he said.
Earlier, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL), Maureen Tamuno, described the Expo as a strategic platform for attracting investments and building partnerships to unlock the economic potential of the FCT.
She said the theme of the event, “Building Nigeria’s Capital: Investment as a Catalyst for Economic Growth,” aligns with the administration’s vision of positioning Abuja as a globally competitive investment destination through infrastructure development, innovation and private sector collaboration.
Tamuno commended Wike’s leadership, saying ongoing infrastructure and urban renewal projects had improved Abuja’s attractiveness to investors.
She disclosed that participants at the three-day Expo would engage in investment forums, exhibitions, networking sessions and policy discussions covering sectors such as real estate, infrastructure, technology, renewable energy, solid minerals, sports and the creative economy.
She expressed optimism that the engagements would generate partnerships capable of accelerating economic growth in the FCT and Nigeria.
