Centenary City Plc has announced a landmark contract worth N750 billion with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to execute the first phase of Abuja’s most ambitious urban renewal project.
The project aimed to transform the city into a multifunctional lifestyle hub, attracting global investment and establishing Abuja as a major economic center.
The contract covers primary infrastructure, including a 4.3-kilometre access road and secondary infrastructure across three residential districts: Grove Residences, Safari Park Residences, and Ridge Villas.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Ike Odenigwe, managing director of Centenary City Plc, said that Dar Al-Handasah Consultants, which prepared the original master plan in 2014, would also oversee detailed engineering design.
Identified described the initiative as “Abuja’s most ambitious urban renewal effort,” noting that the project was designed to attract global investment and establish the city as a multifunctional lifestyle hub.
Recall that the project was first conceived during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to commemorate Nigeria’s centenary.
The project has been plagued for years by legal disputes, revoked land titles, and administrative delays. But Odenigwe noted that the renewed push, backed by the current government, signaled a decisive turnaround.
“We are going to change the landscape of Abuja. This is a destination,” Odenigwe said, adding that the project would complement existing facilities and enable Nigeria’s capital to compete with global cities.
As part of its grand vision, Odenigwe announced plans to build the tallest building in sub-Saharan Africa and a 150-hectare entertainment park to serve Nollywood filmmakers. The city will also host 13 branded international hotels.
He commended Mr Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for his support.
He described Wike’s role as critical to renewed efforts to diversify Abuja’s economy.
He also noted that the federal government, through Abuja Investments Company Ltd (AICL), retained five per cent equity in the project and a seat on the board.
Odenigwe said the development was strictly a public-private partnership (PPP), with the federal government donating the land.
He emphasised the company’s commitment to inclusive growth, pointing to borehole projects, scholarship schemes, and a resettlement plan that has so far delivered 280 homes for original inhabitants of Gude district, with a target of 857 houses.
He added that the project is expected to generate 50,000 jobs during construction and up to 250,000 permanent jobs when completed.
On the delays that stalled progress for nearly a decade, Odenigwe blamed policy inconsistency across successive administrations.
“Whenever there is a change of government, policies don’t continue.
”But with the coming of this government, we have conquered the issue of policy inconsistency, because this government knows the economic value of this project, ” he said.
He commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for recognising the importance of foreign direct investment in bridging Nigeria’s infrastructure gap.
“Nigeria needs foreign direct investment; our population is growing, and infrastructure is lagging behind.
“This government understands that there is an infrastructural gap, ” he said.
