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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Former Coordinating Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Aminu Gusau, has praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his “bold governance, infrastructural renewal and decisive leadership,” calling it a benchmark for public service.
Speaking at the 2026 Annual Distinguished Personality Lecture Series, organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences, Yakubu Gowon University, in Abuja yesterday, Gusau chaired the event where Wike delivered the keynote address titled “The Impact of Political Leadership on Infrastructural Development in Nigeria: Between Dividends of Democracy and Good Governance.”
A visiting professor at the University of Kansas, United States, Gusau described Wike as “a public servant whose tenure in the FCT has been marked by visible transformation and accelerated project delivery.”
He highlighted his progress since August 2023, noting an “ambitious drive to restore the Abuja master plan, strengthen infrastructure and revive long-abandoned projects.” He pointed to completed major road networks linking the city centre to satellite towns, declaring, “The completion and commissioning of projects, such as the Apo-Wasa Road, the rehabilitation of inner-city corridors and the revitalisation of strategic junctions, have significantly improved mobility and economic activity within the FCT.”
He commended the ongoing work in satellite towns like Gwagwalada, Kubwa, Bwari, and Karu, where “road construction, drainage improvements and public infrastructure upgrades are ongoing.” He added: “Several previously stalled contracts have been revived and brought to completion, reinforcing a governance approach that prioritises continuity and accountability.”
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Beyond roads, he commended the minister’s push for development control, land reforms, street lighting, sanitation and public space management. “This was aimed at improving transparency, restoring urban order and enhancing internally generated revenue,” he said, noting contributions to improved security and urban aesthetics.
Drawing from his 27 years in the US as a lecturer, Gusau reflected on leadership, saying, “Leadership is rarely comfortable. It requires firmness, resolve and sometimes unpopular decisions.” He affirmed Wike’s track record. “From his tenure as governor of Rivers to his current role as FCT Minister, reflects a consistent pattern, decisive execution, infrastructure expansion and institutional assertiveness.
“Having spent over 27 years in the United States and served as a university lecturer for more than a decade, I have had the privilege of observing leadership models across different systems. Over the years, I have come to understand that truly, effective leaders share one common trait. They possess good intentions for the people and translate that intention into concrete action. Indeed, Wike belongs to that category of leaders. You may or may not like his personality, but one thing is certain; he works and he works for the people.”
He stressed results over rhetoric, saying, “In governance, results matter, infrastructure matters and systems matter. Leadership becomes tangible when citizens can see completed roads, revived projects, improved lighting, strengthened regulation and enhanced order in public administration.”
He concluded that universities like Yakubu Gowon foster critical scrutiny: “Universities are centres of ideas and critical engagement. It is, therefore, fitting that this recognition occurs within the University of Abuja. Leadership in public service must be examined objectively. It must be assessed by outcomes that improve daily life. In that regard, Wike’s tenure provides substantial evidence of performance-driven governance.”
